Housing plan for Sandwell College's Smethwick campus

The landmark Sandwell College campus in Smethwick could be transformed into houses, it has been revealed.

It was originally thought the Crocketts Lane site could be merged into a larger campus.

It would have been linked with the existing sites on High Street, West Bromwich, and Pound Road, Oldbury.

But the council is now asking for companies to compete for a £19,000 contract for two weeks of work to investigate whether the site is suitable to be turned into homes.

An advert for the work has been put out by the authority on networking website Find It In Sandwell.

It said: "The council is seeking expressions of interest for site investigation works at Sandwell College (Smethwick Campus)

"The project is phase 2 site investigation works, to provide physical and chemical data for design of proposed residential end use. To include factual and interpretative reporting.

"The anticipated tender period is two weeks and the anticipated construction period is two weeks. The estimated construction value of the project is £19,000."

It comes despite bosses recently designating a conservation area around the site, to protect buildings of historical significance and heritage.