Eliza's house set to be saved

The vandal-hit historic former home of a Black Country industrial legend looks set to be given a new lease of life as flats.

Concerned campaigners fighting to save the former residence of Eliza Tinsley, which is known as The Limes at Sedgley, have welcomed news it could be transformed into homes because it could save it from being wrecked.

After office workers moved out, the land became a trouble hotspot with vandals smashing windows and daubing graffiti on the house.

The 19th century grand mansion house, near the top of Catholic Lane and Dudley Road, was built in 1840 for Eliza Tinsley of the Tinsley Works and her six children.

Mrs Tinsley went on to become one of the Black Country's most famous names as head of the Tinsley chainmaking company which was founded more than 150 years ago.

The new project would see her former home converted into 18 apartments following demolition of a modern extension fronting onto Catholic Lane.

Developers Desmond P O'Neill says the form and shape of The Limes would generally remain unaltered by the works.