New EV points approved after redesign

Dudley Council has accepted a plan for electric vehicle charging points after a previous design was rejected then approved on appeal.

The new charging station will be installed on a car park next to Coseley Working Men’s Club on Ivyhouse Lane.

Permission to develop the car park was granted in November 2024 however an amendment to the plan for a change on the car park to accommodate eight EV charging points was refused by the council in February 2025.

The council’s refusal was overturned by the government’s Planning Inspectorate in August 2025 who concluded: “The proposed EV charging infrastructure would not cause unacceptable harm to the character or appearance of the area due to its location adjacent to non-residential uses, its positioning at a lower site level, and the presence of effective screening including a high boundary wall and landscaping. 

“The development was found to be of appropriate scale and design, aligning with local planning policies that promote high-quality development responsive to its context.”

Although the original EV plan was given permission, applicants The EV Network took concerns about the design, including the location and appearance of a substation to serve the chargers into account.

The company submitted a revised application to provide charging points for six vehicles provided by three charging units.

A Dudley Council report on the revised application said: “The number of charging units has been reduced from four to three, and the EV substation has been relocated further into the site. 

“The revised substation design now features a brick and timber effect finish, replacing the previously proposed green metal structure. 

“These changes represent a clear improvement in terms of visual integration and material quality.”

A statement from The EV Network in support of the application added: “The installation would enable local residents and visitors utilise ultra-rapid EV chargers to charge their vehicles, thereby supporting the sustainability and overall liveability of the approved residential development and existing working men’s club.”