Rooftop Food Court, Multi-Storey Car Park, George St, Walsall, Ws1 1RS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the CHCA
• The effect of the proposal on highway safety with particular regard to parking provision, traffic generation, pedestrian safety and servicing
• The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of nearby residential occupiers, with particular regard to noise, light and odour
• Whether suitable foul drainage and toilet facilities would be provided
• Whether the proposal would operate in a manner that would suitably manage fire risk, crime and anti-social behaviour for users
• The effect of the proposal on the vitality and viability of Walsall Town Centre

What decided it

The unresolved and condition-incapable harms to highway safety, living conditions, fire safety and drainage were found to substantially outweigh the scheme's benefits, so the presumption in favour of sustainable development under Policy S04 did not apply.

the employment and social benefits of the proposed development would be substantially outweighed by the identified adverse effects of the proposal, when assessed against the national decision-making policies of the Framework as a whole, so the presumption in favour of sustainable development would not apply