Plans to construct a new 'mini service station' featuring electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities adjacent to the M5 in West Bromwich have been given the green light by local authorities.
Development Details and Location
The approved scheme, submitted by applicant Beyond I-Land, will see the development of four new commercial units on land next to the Kaizen building, formerly known as Intersection House, on Birmingham Road. The site is strategically located just off the West Bromwich motorway interchange.
Three of the proposed units will measure approximately 1,200 square feet each, with a larger fourth unit spanning around 4,000 square feet. The units have been requested for Class E use, which encompasses a wide range of commercial activities including shops, restaurants, cafes, offices, and gyms. The plans also incorporate a 32-space car park to support the development.
Council Concerns and Key Approval Rationale
Sandwell Council's planning officers acknowledged that the principle of the development contradicts several local planning policies designed to protect the vitality of West Bromwich town centre. Planners stated a preference for such units to be located within established centres like the High Street, Astle Retail Park, or New Square shopping centre.
However, these locations were deemed unsuitable by the applicant. The council's approval report highlighted a critical factor overriding these concerns: the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The report concluded that while out-of-centre development is generally discouraged, this scheme would function as a much-needed 'mini service' station. It will offer rapid charging facilities close to the M5 motorway, addressing the growing demand for high-speed EV charging points along the major road network.
Site History and Previous Proposals
The land in question is a brownfield site that was last used as an overspill car park in 2017 and has remained redundant since. The landmark ten-storey Kaizen office block itself was sold to the Beyond Property Group in a multi-million-pound deal in 2021 after standing empty for 18 months and has since been converted into nearly 100 flats.
Earlier proposals for the former car park had included 38 new flats, shops, a drive-thru, and EV charging points. The drive-thru element has now been scrapped from the current application. A statement supporting the application argued the development meets demand for modern business spaces, improves local service access, and strengthens the West Bromwich economy by utilising a well-connected but disused site.
