Sainsbury’s Proposes New Convenience Store Next to Streetly Pub

A major supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, has submitted a proposal to construct a convenience store on the car park of Farmer John’s pub located on Aldridge Road in Streetly. This marks the company’s second attempt to establish a presence at this location, following a previous application that was denied by Walsall Council in July 2023.

The earlier proposal faced refusal due to concerns that included inappropriate development on the green belt, potential negative impacts on the local area, particularly the adjacent Great Barr Conservation Area, and harm to the open setting of the environment. In response to the denial, Sainsbury’s lodged an appeal, which was ultimately dismissed by a planning inspector.

Details of the New Proposal

The proposed site is currently a car park that would see a significant reduction in size if the new store is approved. Specifically, the supermarket would decrease the existing car park by 45 percent, resulting in a total of 56 parking spaces remaining for customers of Farmer John’s. The new development is designed to be single-storey and will feature polyester powder-coated composite aluminium panels in a dark grey finish.

The land where the supermarket is proposed is adjacent to fields that have been earmarked by Walsall Council for housing as part of its draft local plan. Developers IM Land and Walton Homes have already allocated this area for a proposed new neighbourhood consisting of 850 homes.

Agent Alder King Planning Consultants commented on the project, stating, “The car park of the adjacent Farmer John’s public house is currently too large and as a result is underutilised. The proposal will make use of this previously developed land and will deliver a locally focused convenience store, with associated car parking, servicing, and plant area, while also assisting the long-term viability of the existing public house and its ability to serve the local community.”

The community and local stakeholders are likely to engage in discussions regarding the implications of such a development, not only concerning the convenience store’s impact but also considering the broader housing plans that could reshape the area. The outcome of this latest application will be closely watched by residents and planners alike.