Plans to convert a closed-down library into housing have been refused by Walsall Council.
The Walsall Wood Library on Coppice Road has been the subject of six planning applications since the council closed it in 2017.
The authority auctioned off the property in 2020 where it fetched £319,000.
Application Integrated Designs and Associates Ltd had hoped to convert the property into four two-bedroom apartments with access from Lichfield Road.
But the council refused the plans as it failed to provide sufficient information regarding biodiversity net gain.
Three objections to the plans were received by neighbouring properties with concerns about privacy, noise and disturbance and effect of local character.
Objections were also received from The Wildlife Trust and Ecology on the grounds on BNG and from highways due to road safety concerns.
In response to the highways concerns, the council found that the proposals would not worsen the existing situation as there is already a point of access to the site.
As for the local character, the council found that the proposals were consistent with the local area.
However, the application was subject to a mandatory requirement to achieve a minimum 10 per cent biodiversity net gain under the Environment Act 2021.
The authority said the applicant was offered ‘sufficient opportunity’ to submit the information but none was provided.
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