Plans for a new 'mini' service station adjacent to the M5 motorway in West Bromwich have been given the official go-ahead by local authorities. The development, approved on 3rd December 2025, is set to enhance amenities for travellers and significantly boost electric vehicle charging infrastructure near a key motorway junction.
Details of the Approved Development
The scheme, put forward by applicant Beyond I-Land, will see the construction of four new commercial units on land next to the Kaizen building, formerly known as Intersection House. The proposal includes three units measuring 1,200 square feet each and a larger unit of approximately 4,000 square feet. These units are requested under Class E, permitting a range of uses from shops and restaurants to gyms and offices.
A dedicated 32-space car park is included in the plans, alongside the crucial installation of multiple electric vehicle (EV) charging points. The site, a brownfield plot last used as an overspill car park until 2017, is noted for its excellent access just off the M5 and West Bromwich interchange.
Planning Conflicts and Key Justifications
Sandwell Council's planning department acknowledged that the development principle contradicts several local policies designed to protect town centre vitality. Planners stated a preference for the units to be located in established centres like West Bromwich High Street, Astle Retail Park, or New Square shopping centre.
However, these locations were deemed unsuitable by the applicant. In a report, the council conceded that the EV charger element was a key consideration in overcoming policy conflicts. The report emphasised the urgent need for rapid charging facilities close to major road networks like the M5, as demand for electric vehicles continues to rise.
"The out of centre provides a much needed 'mini service' station allowing rapid charging facilities on site," the council's report stated, highlighting the strategic benefit of the location for the evolving transport network.
Site History and Future Impact
The landmark ten-storey office block on Birmingham Road, Kaizen, was sold to the Beyond Property Group in a multi-million-pound deal in 2021 and has since been converted into nearly 100 flats. Earlier proposals for the adjacent car park land included 38 flats, shops, and a drive-thru, but these have been scrapped in favour of the current service station model.
A statement from the application argued the development meets demand for modern business spaces, improves local service access, and strengthens the West Bromwich economy by utilising a redundant site. The approval marks a pragmatic shift in planning focus, prioritising essential EV infrastructure and motorway-adjacent amenities despite traditional preferences for in-centre development.
