REGULARS at a popular Woodsetton pub have been dealt a "hammer blow" after the Planning Inspectorate overturned Dudley Council's decision to reject plans to replace it with a Co-op store.

NewRiver Retail has been given the green light to bulldoze The Summer House on Sedgley Road and build the convenience store, despite more than 300 people signing a petition to save the pub.

Members of the council's development control committee voted against planning officers' recommendations and threw the scheme out in October last year as they felt the proposed 14 parking spaces were inadequate.

They feared motorists unable to get a space would cause obstructions by parking on double yellow lines.

Councillors were also concerned the store would not be in keeping with the character and appearance of surrounding buildings, including the locally listed Mount Tabor Methodist Chapel.

However the Planning Inspectorate has ruled the development would not harm the character and appearance of the area, nor would it result in any harm to highway safety.

Planning inspector Michael Boniface said in his report: "Whilst I note that parking in the highway could lead to disruption, particularly close to the existing bus stop and zebra crossing, there is no reason to expect such behaviour given the provision within the site.

"Whilst I have had regard to the significant number of people supporting retention of the existing public house, this does not alter my conclusions."

Woodsetton councillor Dean Perks said he was "absolutely livid" that the decision made by Dudley planners had been overturned.

He said: "What is the point of local decision making by Dudley Council? It's nothing more than a box ticking exercise for a local authority who in reality have no control over development decision making because the vast majority of refusals get overturned on appeal.

"This was voted against by Dudley Council unanimously and overturned by an inspector from outside the borough.

"I am absolutely livid with both the decision and the process."

Cllr Perks added: "This will be a hammer blow to the regulars who have seen a big upturn in business at the Summer House. The decision will also impact on local businesses whose customers use the pub car park. Another kick in the teeth for democracy."

At appeal, NewRiver also won the right to demolish the Maypole Inn in Halesowen and replace it with a Co-op and build a store in the car park of the Ashwood Inn, Wordsley.

While the property company was not awarded costs in the case of the Summer House, the taxpayer will be footing the bill for the other appeals.

Allan Lockhart, property director at NewRiver said: “As the inspector has clearly stated in two of these cases, the appeals should not have been necessary and we will now be seeking recovery of tens of thousands of pounds of our costs, which ultimately are met by council tax payers in Dudley.

"In the other case, he also decided, just as Dudley Council’s own officers had done, that the proposal could be supported in planning terms.

“It was regrettable that we had no other option other than to appeal the council’s refusals of these wholly acceptable and positive retail-led regeneration proposals.

"Our approach nationwide is always to foster good working relationships with the councils in whose areas we invest. We aim to achieve this in Dudley going forward.”

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose the three appeals but accept the judgment.

"Costs have been awarded to NewRiver Retail on two of the applications – The Ashwood Inn and The Maypole – and we are waiting to hear from them.”