Residents have been battling proposals lodged by New River Retail to tear down the Maypole Inn, Halesowen, and replace it with a Co-op convenience store.

They have also fought plans for a shop to be built on the car park of the Ashwood Inn, Wordsley.

The public gallery at Dudley Council’s development control committee was filled with clapping and cheers as both schemes were rejected by councillors.

But a plan to build a Co-Op store on the car park at The Crown, in Netherton, was approved, although objection to that scheme was not as strong.

After the meeting, officials from New River Retail said they would now consider their next step – and are likely to appeal.

But campaigners said they were ready to continue the battle.

New River Retail has submitted plans at the sites of several pubs across the Black Country after brewery Marston’s sold off 202 in a £90 million deal.

The plan to demolish the Maypole Inn was the first to be discussed by the planning committee following a visit to the site.

Committee chairman, Councillor Qadar Zada, said he could see no planning grounds to refuse the proposal. But fellow councillors disagreed.

Councillor Colin Elcock said: “This public house is very well used. It is used by a lot of different clubs and associations.

“Also, less than five minutes along the road, there is already another big supermarket. This is a great pub and we should take into consideration people do not want to lose it.”

Councillor David Vickers added: “This pub is a community asset and it would be disparaging to members of the public if we do not take their wishes into account.”

The pub, in Bassnage Road, has been listed as an ‘asset of community value’.

Members of the committee were told this carried no weight in planning terms. But councillors refused the scheme on the grounds it was well used by the community and was too close to existing outlets. Secretary of the Friends of the Maypole group Mick Seeley said: “It was a nervous time and we thought it could go either way. This is a vindication and we are overwhelmed.

“If it goes to appeal we will still fight it. We will fight to the end.”

Councillors next discussed plans for the Ashwood Inn, in Sandringham Road, Wordsley. While the pub would be retained under the plans there were concerns over loss of parking spaces.

There were also concerns it would lead to traffic congestion.

Councillor Paul Brothwood, who said: “The residents of Wordsley have made it absolutely clear they do not support this application. The development proposes the existing pub and new supermarket will have a total of 27 car parking spaces – 14 for the pub and 13 for the supermarket. At present the pub car park provides up to 50 spaces. This is required because the Ashwood pub holds a number of events in its large venue room.”

Councillor Christine Perks said the Red Lion pub had been turned into a supermarket so the needs offered by the proposal were already being met.

But Ben Rayner, on behalf of New River Retail, said the new store would be a boost to the area and a magnet for trade. Councillors rejected the scheme due to lack of car parking, adverse affect on other businesses and congestion.

Sandringham Road resident Stephen Bannister said he ‘felt over the moon’ the scheme had been rejected.

But plans for a similar scheme on the car park at The Crown, in Simms Lane, Netherton, were approved.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Martin Hughes, spokesman for New River Retail, said: “We will decide whether to pursue an appeal on the Maypole and Ashwood Inn.

“We have heard the grounds given for refusal and believe these will not be sustained at appeal.”

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