Iconic Langley Maltings set for brighter future after arson attack
It has stood empty and in a state of disrepair for nine years but talks are now underway to develop the iconic Langley Maltings.
Sandwell Council have approached owners of the Grade II listed building in Western Road, Oldbury, with hopes of giving it a brighter future, after an arson attack destroyed its roof and towers in 2009.
John Baker, development and regulatory services manager at Sandwell Council, said: "It has a long and chequered history in Langley and we are currently trying to engage with the owners to do something about the site.
"Because of it being a listed building there will be complications - money is firstly an issue and but also with regards to the use of the building too.
"We are really keen to get something on the site, and have made offers for the owner to come forward and talk to us, as there is a lot of development potential there."
Businessmen Lehmber Singh and Harbhajan Singh Dhadday, who run D and S Enterprises, bought the property for £1 million in 2007.
An application for demolition was submitted by them in 2012 but the council rejected the plans following an outcry from residents.
Chairman of Langley Local History Society, Terry Daniels, commented on how sad it was for the building to sit in disrepair.
He added: "Although the council put a block on it being torn down, there were talks of it being converted into flats, which you can imagine they would be really nice places to live in.
"It was a lovely building inside.
"It is sad that we don't know that long term plans of such a building that was iconic in Langley."
Originally dating from 1870, but substantially rebuilt in 1898, the Maltings were a well-known landmark in Sandwell.
Up until 2006 they were still in use as one of the last traditional floor malting factories.
Councillor Susan Downing, who represents the Oldbury ward, said: "The building has a lot of history in the area and we don't want to lose that.
"The problem with Grade listed buildings is that it all comes down to money and whether the owners can afford to renovate it under a certain criteria.
"In this day and age people don't have a lot of money to spend on buildings like that."
Owners of D and S Enterprises were unavailable for comment.
