A decision is imminent on proposals to demolish a row of aging factories in Cradley Heath to make way for nearly 100 new homes. The application, submitted by Mark Grady of Liberty Developments, seeks to flatten several industrial and commercial buildings at the former F. & L. Smout & Sons site in Woods Lane, replacing them with 82 houses and 15 apartments.
The site, located adjacent to Cradley Heath train station, currently houses a mix of occupied and derelict structures. According to the application, half of the buildings are empty and many are in a state of disrepair. The proposed development aims to transform this underutilized industrial area into a vibrant residential neighborhood.
Planning Committee Recommendation
Sandwell Council's planning committee will meet on June 10 to consider the application, with a recommendation for approval. The council stated: "The design of the development is of good quality and proposes a notable number of affordable homes which, on balance, offsets the loss of non-designated heritage assets and the partial loss of land designated as a site of local importance for nature conservation."
History of the Site
Plans for over 350 homes on the majority of the Woods Lane and Macarthur Road site were first put forward in 2015, following more than five years of development. In 2019, Sandwell Council approved plans for 135 new homes, leading to the demolition of several factories in Woods Lane. Another application for 34 homes on the corner of Woods Lane and Cradley Road was approved in 2022.
The current application covers the remaining industrial buildings, including the Howells Patent Glazing and the Griffin Woodhouse Chain Proofing Building. The Proving House and Office, which are locally listed buildings, remain occupied and in use, but most other structures on the Griffin Woodhouse site are no longer operational and are in poor repair.
Proposed Development Details
The development, designed by BM3 Architects, includes 98 new dwellings: a mix of two- and three-bedroom houses, along with 15 two-storey split-level and duplex apartments. A statement accompanying the application said: "Due to the number of derelict and unoccupied buildings on site, the intention is to replace this industrial site with a residential development that has an aesthetic that gives it a distinct sense of place and links the scheme to the history of the site, whilst also creating a vibrant neighbourhood to live in."
The council's planning committee will make the final decision on June 10.
