A PLAN to convert the ground floor of an empty Brierley Hill pub into a flat has been refused.

An application was submitted to Dudley Council planners seeking permission to turn the ground floor of The Laurel Tree public house in Stourbridge Road into a three-bedroom flat.

The first floor of the property - which is “considered to be of high architectural character” - is already a three-bedroom flat.

But planners have refused the application to convert the ground floor for residential use due to concerns about parking.

A planning officer’s report stated: “Plans submitted show a new residential unit at ground floor with three bedrooms, two large reception rooms, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, and utility.

“The flat would be accessed from via the existing entrance. A rear yard will be retained. No off-street parking is provided.”

The report says a minimum of three off-street parking spaces would be needed for the development and it adds: “On-street parking at this location is not practical given the classified nature of Stourbridge Road.

“On-street parking at this location would likely obstruct visibility at the junction with Cochrane Road and Vine Street and could result in an unacceptable safety scenario for all road users but particularly pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled.

“The proposed change of use could therefore increase the parking problems on this road, creating a potential obstruction and highway safety issue.”