Apartments plan for old Black Country leather workshop

Developers Thirteen Estates Ltd has put forward proposals to convert the disused Sabre Leather Co building in Sandwell Street into 13 flats, with some internal structures being demolished to create a courtyard.

Planners at Walsall Council are expected to make a decision on granting permission for the conversion in June.

The connection with the leather industry dates back to the 19th century and it continued to manufacture goods until 2019, when the last owner retired and sold his stock to a firm in Willenhall.

The building, which sits in the Church Hill Conservation Area, has been empty ever since. In 2017, efforts were made to market it as a workshop but failed to attract any interest.

In the application, the developers said there were structural problems with the existing building caused by a lack of maintenance including damp on walls, windows in need of replacement and outdated electrics.

Thirteen Estates said it would retain much of the existing historical building as part of the project, demolishing parts of little or no heritage value, and incorporate existing features such as the pulley system and metal spiral staircase within the development.

In the application, it said: “Little is known of occupants prior to 1891. The property was occupied by the Macfarlane Family from said date manufacturing harnesses for circus ponies.

“The family lived in the two storey property fronting Sandwell street with the rear three-storey building used as a factory and workshop.

“After (owner) Robert Macfarlane’s passing in 1923 the building was sold to The Ideal Leather Case Company and later to Sabre Leather which continued the tradition of manufacturing harnesses until early 2019.

“The driving force behind the scheme is to conserve, enhance and re-use of the existing buildings, by part demolition of structures that have little heritage value and converting the building to provide one bed studio and one bedroom apartments for young professionals.

“The scale, design and layout of the proposed development ensures that it respects the Church Hill conservation area and reinforces the strong character of the street scene.

“The density of the scheme is appropriate to this location as the site is well served by shops and services in the immediate area and the proximity of a good local transport infrastructure contributes to the overall sustainability of the development.

“On street parking provision is considered adequate to meet the needs of future occupiers of the development in this particular location.

“It is considered that the proposed scheme accords with current central, regional and local planning policies and that detailed planning permission should be granted.”