Approval to build on old Halesowen Fire Station site

Cash from the sale of the land will be used to help pay costs of building the replacement £3 million station in Cradley Heath.

Fire crews moved out of the Halesowen station, in Hagley Road, last year when services in the two towns were merged. Dudley Council's planning committee says the new homes will complement the surrounding housing estate.

West Midlands Fire Service downscaled its original plans for 22 homes to 14 properties after a 40-strong petition from residents.

But, under the new outline plans approved last night, the development would consist of three and four-bedroom houses.

West Midlands Fire Authority chairman and Sandwell Councillor John Edwards today said the decision signalled the next stage of the overall project.

"It has gone on for a long time from the initial stages to completion but now it is done and dusted and we can move on," he said.

"We want to get on and build the new station as soon as possible."

Halesowen Fire Station controversially shut last April despite a last-ditch legal bid from campaigners to try and save it.

One of the two 24-hour fire crews serving the two towns has gone as part of the closure scheme.

The decision came in the wake of the fire service being hit with £10 million in Government funding cuts.

Windows have been boarded up around Halesowen Fire Station and steel fencing erected in a bid to stop vandal attacks.

Planning committee members gave permission for the building to be demolished and homes built.

Councillor Colin Wilson said: "This is already a residential area and this building is now redundant and this seems a good scheme to bring homes to the area."

The new station will be built in Barrs Road on the site of the former Municipal Buildings in Cradley Heath.