Dudley community centre could become flats under new plans

The Rainbow Community Centre in Rainbow Street, Coseley, would be turned into seven new flats as part of proposals to bring the building back into the use.

The application, submitted to planners at Dudley Council, said the community centre had been empty for six months and was last used as a day nursery.

Part of the upper floor of the community centre has already been converted into flats.

A statement included with the application said: “Due to the falling demand for the building to be used as a nursery and community centre alternative uses must be considered to bring the building back into use and provide an income for the owner to assist with maintenance costs.

“The building has stood unused for over six months without any maintenance which is having a detrimental impact on the surrounding area and encouraging unauthorised use of the car park to the frontage.

“With the building being converted to residential units this will provide market housing which is in demand for the local area which has many amenities and good transport links to surrounding areas.

“The building will be continually maintained, funded by the revenue generated and natural surveillance will be provided by the tenants to the immediate surround area.

“This will prevent any unauthorised use of the car park and discourage anti-social behavior.”

The former Ship and Rainbow pub, which opened in the 1820s and was rebuilt in the 1950s, was converted into the Rainbow Community Centre in 1997.