The future of an unauthorised car dealership in the West Midlands has been thrown into doubt after its owner lost a crucial planning appeal.
Council ruling upheld after public complaints
West Midlands Cars, based on Franchise Street in Wednesbury, began trading without the necessary planning consent in 2022. The business quickly became a source of friction, generating multiple complaints from local residents about severe overcrowding of vehicles.
Owner Gul Nawaz saw his initial planning application formally rejected by Sandwell Council in June 2023. Council officers deemed the operation "inappropriate" for the location and said it was "to the detriment of residents." Mr Nawaz subsequently appealed to the government's Planning Inspectorate in a bid to secure retrospective permission for car sales and storage.
Inspector cites highway safety and lack of evidence
Following a review, planning inspectors have now upheld the council's original decision. A key factor was the impact on highway safety. The council argued that the sheer volume of parked cars caused major congestion, blocking two-way traffic and obscuring visibility at junctions.
This issue was exacerbated because many locals depend on on-street parking near their Victorian terraced homes. During a site visit, the inspector confirmed cars were parked partly on the pavement, creating a hazard.
The official report stated this would force pedestrians, including those with wheelchairs or buggies, into the road to get past.
The planning inspector also criticised the appeal submission for a lack of crucial evidence. It failed to detail:
- How the business operated day-to-day.
- The true capacity of the site.
- How vehicle numbers were controlled.
- Provision for staff or customer parking.
- Management of vehicle deliveries and transporters.
History of issues and resident disturbance
The inspector concluded the dealership increased parking pressure and led to delivery vehicles manoeuvring in the highway, raising the risk of accidents. Beyond traffic problems, the business also created noise and disturbance for residents from loading and unloading activities.
This is not the first time the site has faced planning enforcement. It was previously used for car sales in 2017, before being shut down a year later after action by Sandwell Council. The council also noted the current operation did not match submitted plans, with far more vehicles stored on-site and in the car park of the former Forge Tavern pub.
With the appeal now dismissed, the long-term operation of West Midlands Cars at the Franchise Street location remains in serious jeopardy.
