A disused pub in Upper Gornal is set to be transformed into shops and housing after Dudley Council gave the go-ahead.

Developers have been given permission to revamp The Spills Meadow, in Kent Street, converting it into two retail units and adding two new flats on the first floor.

The remodelling would include extensions around the building to increase its size along with alterations to the car park and landscaping.

The flats on the first floor will be two-bedroom units accessed from a lobby area at the front of the building.

The site would include 18 parking spaces for the retail units and three spaces for residents of the flats.

The proposal attracted objections from nearby residents including concerns about parking and the loss of a public house as a community asset.

In a report on the application, council officers said: “The design and access statement submitted states that the current public house The Spills Meadow is financially unviable.

“Information has been submitted to demonstrate that the public house was marketed from June 2022 until 2023 with no interest for purchase to retain its use as a public house.

“Additionally, it is noted that the site is located within Upper Gornal local centre and there is The Britannia public house within 100m of the site.”

Objectors also raised concerns that there may be a crypt under the site associated with a Wesleyan chapel that previously occupied the land.

In their report, officers said: “The proposed development would be acceptable in principle being of an appropriate use within the surroundings and would not have an adverse impact upon the residential amenity or the existing buildings.”

In a statement supporting the application, Mat Design Ltd said: “We consider that the proposals for the site are acceptable in principle and wholly appropriate for this part of Dudley, thereby delivering a range of sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits.”