A new apartment block could be built on a key gateway into Walsall town centre and give a welcome boost to a 'deteriorating' conservation area.
Planning chiefs are expected to give the green light to a proposal to construct a five-storey, 26 apartment block on a car park in Bradford Street.
The site sits in the Bradford Street Conservation Area which is in such a poor state that Historic England has listed it as being 'at risk'.
Plans for residential development of the area have been put before committee members previously but never materialised.
If permission for this current application - by Bradford Street Developments Limited - is granted at a planning committee meeting on Thursday (January 3), the new block will feature 17 two-bed apartments and nine one-bed flats.
An objection was raised from a neighbouring property concerned that the area was mostly commercial and flats would have a negative impact on parking and the value of other properties.
They also raised concerns about the high number of apartments for the small area, the fact the site already attracts drug and alcohol abuse and that the development would be out of character with the conservation area.
But a report to committee states the scheme is beneficial to the area and has recommended approval be granted.
It said: "This site is in the Bradford St Conservation Area and near to several listed buildings.
"The application site is within the Bradford Street Conservation Area which is 'at risk' with a condition of 'very bad' and a trend of 'deteriorating change' according to the 2017 Heritage at risk Register, by Historic England.
"The legislative background is that a planning authority must preserve or enhance a Conservation Area. This proposal achieves such an outcome, in terms of effects.
"It is considered that the scheme will result in 'less than substantial' harm to the significance of and character and appearance of the conservation area.
"The application is welcomed as it will redevelop a currently vacant site which is used as a car park, and which could potentially be vulnerable to becoming a gap site.
"The benefits are that it will infill a gap in the conservation area and will complete the street scene for Bradford Street."
"Whilst the proposed density is high the design has allowed the building to be integrated into both the street scene and the conservation area."
