A vacant clothes factory is set to become a community centre after Dudley Council planners approved a planning application.
A change of use for the building in Blackacre Road, Dudley, was given the green light following a recommendation from council officers.
The two-storey building, which has been vacant since 2022, will be converted to include education facilities, a prayer room and library.
A report from council officers on the application said: “The proposed development would bring a vacant building back into viable use and there would be no demonstrable harm to residential amenity.”
The application attracted one letter of objection which raised a number of concerns including noise, parking and traffic.
The letter, from a resident of Blackacre Road, said: “Parking is at a premium in the area and this new proposed development will increase pressure in the area.
“Cars are permanently parked on the grounds even though there seems to be no one in the building resembling a used car lot.”
According to a statement submitted in support of the application, the classrooms will be open from 4.30pm to 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 12pm on Saturday.
The classrooms will be used for Islamic teaching, computer classes, maths and English.
The statement said: “A small, supervised library area will be provided solely for students enrolled in the centre’s educational programmes.
“The space will be used for quiet study and reading in connection with scheduled classes.
“Access will be restricted to registered students during designated hours only and will be managed by staff at all times. No general public access is proposed.”
Despite concerns about traffic and parking, the officers’ report added: “Amended plans were received, amending the parking layout, increasing the width of access and removing the originally proposed food bank facility from the proposal.
“The applicant also advises that users of the facility will primarily live locally and are expected to access the premises by foot or cycle.”
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