Care homes planned for former club site

The derelict building in Amblecote High Street has lain empty for about a decade and people living nearby have long called for the site to be revamped.

Proposals to demolish Ambelcote War Memorial Club and build four detached care homes for young adults have gone to Dudley Council planning bosses. Each building would offer four en suite bedrooms for young adults as well as communal lounges and a kitchen.

New jobs created would range from care assistants to kitchen staff.

Agent Tommy Wong said in a report: "This proposal represents an opportunity to provide a high quality and well design Care Homes which will help to meet the growing need for care bed spaces.

"The site's unique position, along a main transport route and within a residential area, close to the centre of Stourbridge make it an ideal location for such a facility."

"The proposed care homes will provide a range of employment opportunities, from ancillary staff posts such as administration, maintenance, laundry, domestic and kitchen staff to care assistants," he added.

The club has suffered vandalism, fire and weather damage. It was founded in 1921 for ex-servicemen but closed in 2002, due to lack of bookings and activities.

It was on the market for three years and had a guide price of £175,000 before it was sold in September.

The site includes a bowling green and a car park.

Residents have been calling for action to clean up the site for a number of years saying that the building has become an eyesore on one of the main routes into Stourbridge town centre.

Plans were also submitted in 2009 to turn the site into a restaurant and cabaret but the scheme never got off the ground amid traffic concerns.