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Christian Barnett

Local Democracy Reporter

Local Democracy Reporter for Sandwell

March 24, 2025

The former showroom in Mucklow Hill, Halesowen. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Tesco and Greggs plan for Dudley redrawn after more than 60 object

Transport|2 hours ago

March 22, 2025

The former Rollers Arms, Foundry Street, Coseley. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Bid to turn Dudley pub into shipping container storage submitted by 'HMO Daddy' to be decided

Property|Mar 22

March 21, 2025

The Crown Inn, Station Road, Old Hill. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Cradley Heath pub could be demolished to make way for new shop

Property|Mar 21

March 20, 2025

The former Frank Glover works in Mary Ann Street off Middle Cross, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton factory left empty for 50 years could be demolished for flats

Property|Mar 20

$An artist\'s impression of the proposed care home on the site of Hampshire House in High Street, Kingswinford. Pic: Stem Architects. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.$

Plans for new care home in Kingswinford revived - with potential for 75 new jobs

Property|Mar 20

Rainbow Centre, Rainbow Street, Coseley. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Dudley community centre could become flats under new plans

Property|Mar 20

March 12, 2025

The new 178-home estate next to Northwood Park, Northwood Park Road, Bushbury in Wolverhampton. The homes being built in summer 2024. The new facilities are being built in Northwood Park. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Play area improvements approved next to new estate in Wolverhampton

Property|Mar 12

March 10, 2025

Pool Lane, Oldbury. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Council approves controversial plans for Oldbury children’s home despite opposition from neighbours

March 9, 2025

Oldbury Green Retail Park. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

New supermarket coming to Oldbury applies for alcohol licence

March 8, 2025

Wood End Wines, Wood End Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton shop had licence suspended after selling cider to 14-year-old

March 7, 2025

‘Panic switches’ to be allowed in Wolverhampton taxis for extra protection after driver killing

Rocket Pools Inn, Rocket Pool Drive, Bradley, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton pub stripped of licence after CCTV footage of late night lock-in 'stolen'

March 5, 2025

$The corner of Salop Street/Peel Street in Wolverhampton city centre. More than 300 flats are expected to be built on the site of the city\'s former indoor market as part of a huge regeneration project. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all L$

Go-ahead for huge Wolverhampton city centre regeneration scheme which includes 1,000 homes

Hangar, Pountney Street, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton venue’s licence to be reviewed over XL bully show as ‘vendetta’ row with police continues

March 3, 2025

Rocket Pools Inn, Rocket Pool Drive, Bradley, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Council to review Wolverhampton pub’s licence after owner claims CCTV footage stolen

February 19, 2025

The pallet warehouse in Newlyn Road, Cradley Heath. A plan to build 46 new homes on the site has been revealed. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Plans lodged for 46 new homes on Cradley Heath warehouse site

Property|Feb 19

February 18, 2025

Old Court House, Lower Church Lane, Tipton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Plan to convert empty Tipton pub into flats rejected

Property|Feb 18

February 6, 2025

Ormiston SWB Academy, Dudley Street, Bilston. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Expansion of Bilston school approved as demand for places rises

Education|Feb 6

Plans to demolish ‘condemned’ former Wolverhampton church for new houses turned down by council

The grass courts at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club which are due to be replaced by new padel courts. Pic: WLTSC. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton tennis club’s plan to replace courts for new fast-growing sport backed by council

January 31, 2025

Haden Hill Leisure Centre, Cradley Heath. Pic: Sandwell Council. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

£24m leisure centre won’t re-open until at least 2027 after firm’s collapse adds delay

Business|Jan 31

January 30, 2025

Sandwell Council House in Oldbury. Photo: LDRS. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Sandwell Council spending £130,000 on manager to oversee buying two children’s homes

Politics|Jan 30

Popes Lane, Oldbury. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Proposal for Windrush museum in the Black Country rejected

Property|Jan 30

January 29, 2025

$An artist\'s impression of the Millennium Centre, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury. Pic: ADP Architecture. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.$

New venue and cafe at Wednesbury community centre in £20m levelling up plans

Property|Jan 29

Smethwick Baths in Thimblemill Road, Smethwick. Sandwell Council is set to sell the abandoned grade II listed building. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

No planning went into future of Smethwick swimming baths despite agreement it would close seven years ago

Business|Jan 29

January 23, 2025

A general view of Poolehouse Road, Great Barr. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Decision delayed after row over Great Barr children’s home plans

Property|Jan 23

Haden Hill Leisure Centre, Cradley Heath. Pic: Sandwell Council. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Plans revealed for £24m leisure centre to replace crumbling Sandwell pool

Property|Jan 23

January 20, 2025

Wood End Wines, Wood End Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton off-licence where staff sold cider to 14-year-old is facing suspension

January 16, 2025

The former Express And Star offices in Queen Street, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Historic former Express & Star offices to be converted into flats after plans approved

Property|Jan 16

The 31-acre site off Neachells Lane, Wolverhampton, which could soon become a new 33,000sqm distribution centre. Pic: AJA Architects/Goold Estates. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Decision to be made on plans to build distribution centre on Wolverhampton green space

Property|Jan 16

January 14, 2025

Stella Road, Tipton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Plan for Tipton children's home approved despite 200-strong petition and drug dealing fears

Property|Jan 14

Hangar, Pountney Street, Wolverhampton. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Wolverhampton venue could lose licence after allowing XL bullies at 'Best of Bullies' family dog show

January 13, 2025

Trinity House, Mace Street, Old Hill. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Empty care home in Cradley Heath to become supported living flats

Property|Jan 13

January 10, 2025

Site of former Oldbury warehouse could be turned into new flats

Property|Jan 10

January 9, 2025

The entrance to the Midland Metropolitan Hospital. Pic: LDRS. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Midland Metropolitan Hospital: ‘Temporary’ urgent treatment centre to be built at new hospital - here's why

January 7, 2025

Poolehouse Road, Great Barr.

More than 50 neighbours object to residential home for two children in Great Barr

January 6, 2025

Wolverhampton sports club unveils plans to make room for fast-growing padel tennis

January 5, 2025

Old Court House Lower Church Lane

Empty Tipton pub set to be turned into flats

January 2, 2025

Flats approved in Wolverhampton

Flats plan for Wolverhampton 'eyesore' site finally approved

Wolverhampton|Jan 2

January 1, 2025

Plans for HMO in Sandwell

Council says HMO not allowed on busy Tipton route but house next door can be converted

December 31, 2024

A decision on re-opening an empty care home as supported living flats is set to be made by councillors

Future of empty Sandwell care home to be decided after special measures ruling

News|Dec 31, 2024

An artist's impression of the proposed apartment block on the corner of West Bromwich High Street and Lombard Street West in West Bromwich

Decision due on historic West Bromwich High Street site left empty after Black Country Museum move

News|Dec 31, 2024

December 28, 2024

Sandwell Council House in Oldbury

The five biggest housing developments passed in Sandwell this year

News|Dec 28, 2024

December 27, 2024

The Dingle Street property

Developer tries again to turn Oldbury offices into flats after car park plan refusal

News|Dec 27, 2024

December 17, 2024

West Midlnds Mayor Richard Parker visited Walsall bus station to promote his plans to introduce a franchising system for the buses.

'Disappointed: West Midlands Mayor speaks out about bus fare increase

News|Dec 17, 2024

The site of the proposed homes in Chestnut Road, Wednesbury

Plan for homes next to Wednesbury pub is approved

News|Dec 17, 2024

The petrol station which wants to open 24-hours a day.

Hearing set over concerns for Wolverhampton petrol station's 24-hour alcohol plan

News|Dec 17, 2024

The former bowling green at the former Chubb Safes factory site in Mortice Green, Heath Town, Wolverhampton

Homes planned for remaining part of historic Wolverhampton factory site

News|Dec 17, 2024

December 13, 2024

Astoria, Skinner Street, Wolverhampton.

Venue facing grilling over ‘significant concerns’ about events

News|Dec 13, 2024

An artist's impression of the new Lidl supermarket off Horseley Heath in Great Bridge, Tipton.

Plans revealed to demolish and replace Tipton supermarket

News|Dec 13, 2024