Former community centre demolished to make way for homes

Community leaders expressed their sadness at the final decision to bulldoze St Thomas' Network, in Kates Hill, which announced it was closing last July.

A Facebook campaign had started to save the centre in the aftermath but it was closed in September with 30 staff losing their jobs.

The centre, in Beechwood Road, had struggled for funding especially during its final two years.

This was exacerbated after the centre lost a £80,000 annual grant from Dudley Council in 2010 which hit budgets.

The centre, that was once Blue Coat School which counted comedian Lenny Henry among its former pupils, has been earmarked for new homes.

Former St Thomas' Network board of trustees chairman, Councillor Steve Waltho, said the centre's legacy lived on through new projects which have sprung up in Kates Hill.

"I have mixed feelings - it is sad but if I could pick anything to go in its place there is it social housing because it is needed as it is a deprived area," he said.

A scheme called the Jasmine Road Community Garden was among those set up for residents following its closure.

He added: "If we could have saved the centre we would."

The centre provided courses in English and IT and hosted youth clubs and sports activities.

Dignitaries who attended the centre over the years included Prince Charles and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Dudley Council announced last month that it had secured a government grant of £625,000 to create starter homes for people in the borough.

And officials have now confirmed the decision to redevelop the Beechwood Road site with preparatory work set to get under way by spring.

It is not yet known how many homes will be built there at this stage.

Other sites earmarked for housing include the former Stourbridge Social Education Centre, in Mere Road, Norton, and Turner House, which hosted support services, in Wren's Nest Road, Dudley.

Homes will also be built on the former Amblecote House care home, in King William Street, Amblecote, which has been empty since 2013.

The cash for the 62 starter homes has been given after an agreement was reached with the Government's Homes and Communities Agency.

The homes will be for sale and offered at a 20 per cent discount to first time buyers under the age of 40.