The former Royal Oak. Ripe for development? Imagery from Bing! Maps. Clisck for a larger version.
Thanks to reader Caz who pointed out last week that an application has been made to build a close of houses on the land currently occupied by the former Royal Oak pub in Bullings Heath, opposite the Black Cock pub in Walsall Wood.
The application is reference number 13/0772/FL, submitted on the 10th June, 2013, and is described as ‘Demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of 10 houses including the construction of a new vehicular access and road’.
The land and house were vacant and for sale for some time, after the passing of it’s last occupant; thanks to the generosity of the Smith family, we were able to explore the history of the old pub and it’s residents. This was an excellent research project by David Evans, and remains one of the threads on the blog I’m proudest to have published.
We all knew the land was likely to be purchased by a developer, and the houses proposed look reasonable to me, being modern style homes as one may find in any new development. I personally have no objection, and it would be nice to see the land come into use again. Hopefully, a good enough deal could be struck between the community and developers to provide some other benefit to the community alongside. It may be worth nearby residents talking to local councillors about this if they feel strongly enough.
Both David and I feel it would be an excellent idea if the new close – should it be approved and constructed – could be named in some accordance with the area’s history. Maybe Bullings Heath Close, Royal Oak Close or some such. I welcome reader suggestions.
I include links to the planning documents below, served straight from Walsall Council’s planning system. Of particular interest, may I suggest the tree survey stuff and Mining Risk assessment. Also, the Design and Access statement is very interesting, too.
All links are PDF files, you’ll need Adobe Reader, but I think you’ll have that already.
Please, if you have any comments, add them here or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
Street scenes of the proposed development from documents supplied with the planning application. Click for a larger version.
Amended House Type 1155 -13-06-2013.pdf
Application Form.pdf
Coal Mining Risk Assessment.pdf
Design and Access Statement.pdf
Double Garage – Plot 10.pdf
Ecological Appraisal Final.pdf
House Type 1055.pdf
House Type 1255.pdf
House Type Whittington.pdf
Location Plan.pdf
Planning Layout.pdf
Protected Species Survey Report.pdf
Streetscenes.pdf
Superseded House Type 1155.pdf
Topographical Survey.pdf
Tree Protection.pdf
Tree Removal.pdf
Tree Survey and Arboricultural Impact.pdf
Tree Survey.pdf
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In naming new roads the Council does try, in appropriate cases, to respect historical connections, though not people’s names, so it might be worth suggesting this to the relevant officer (yes, there is someone who has that responsibility), who may not be aware of revelations here.
Bullings Heath Close gets my vote too.
Hilary
Sorry, in my weary state I failed to point something out; Andy is quite right about street naming. When the new close was built at Shire Oak, local councillors asked for name suggestions, and we had Shire Oak Close by public vote, so the council are indeed open to this.
I’m all for preserving lost names, so Bullings Heath… to me is excellent; Royal Oak… may cause confusion as there are several establishments and Oak… thoroughfares in the borough. Pepper Alley has been suggested privately, although I can’t see that fitting with the developer’s desired image.
This really is a possibility for residents to commemorate our history, and if it gets approval, I’ll make details available for who should be contacted to make wishes known.
Cheers particularly to Andy for his expert knowledge, there.
Bob
Looks like the contact details are:
Street Naming and Numbering Team
Traffic Management
Engineering and Transportation Services
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG
Telephone 01922 654649 or 654651
Fax 01922 649036
Email 4630SNN@walsall.gov.uk
See http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/transport_and_streets/street_naming_and_numbering.htm
Hi Bob, i did mention this in another post, but thought it apt to add it here too. Work has now started on the demolition of the house,[old Royal Oak pub] and the clearing of the land.It’s sad to see the trees disappear, but suprising how much bigger the site looks now. It will be strange watching the new close develop.
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How very sad
There used to be lapwings comon snipe and Jack snipe
on that land,we used to watch the snipe drumming in the sky
Magical days
The end again for nature
Not really, no.
There is still a huge amount of wildlife on the land around, and Clayhanger Marsh and Coppy Woods have protected status. You can still find those birds here.
Check out the CLayhanger Marsh Log from the sidebar.
Cheers
Bob