Sandwell Council rejected New River Retail’s proposals for a Co-Operative Store next to the Haden Cross Inn in Cradley Heath, West Midlands, ruling that it would be “out of character” with the area and the setting of the pub.
More than 400 local campaigners had signed a petition – led by the Friends of Haden Cross Inn group - against the proposals and the authority said it received 56 objection letters or emails.
Residents were concerned that plans to reduce the number of parking spaces at the pub from circa 20 to five would lead to the “loss of a valued community asset”. The store would have had eight parking spaces.
The campaign group has submitted an application for the pub to be listed as an asset of community value.
The pub was one of the 202 sites acquired by New River Retail from Marston’s.