A decision on the fate of a newly built block of flats in the Black Country has been put on hold after the developer tore down a former doctor's surgery without getting the necessary green light from the local authority.
From Conversion to Demolition
In 2024, Sandwell Council granted planning permission to convert the empty former GP surgery on Newton Road in Great Barr into eight new flats. The approved plans involved building extensions, adding balconies, and a loft conversion to facilitate the change of use.
However, when construction work began in June, the project took an unexpected turn. A structural engineer declared the existing building unsafe, leading to its complete demolition. Crucially, this drastic action was taken without first securing permission from the council to knock down the structure.
Permission Voided and New Application Submitted
The unauthorised demolition had a significant legal consequence. In August, the council informed the developer that the original planning consent for the eight flats was effectively cancelled or null and void. This was because the permission was tied to the conversion of the existing building, which was no longer standing.
This prompted the submission of a fresh planning application for the now-constructed eight flats. Sandwell Council's planning committee met on 7 January 2026 to consider this new application but chose to delay their verdict.
Site Visit Called Amid Parking and Character Concerns
Councillors agreed to a site visit before making a final ruling, a move requested by local ward councillor, Cllr Connor Horton. He raised strong objections, describing Pages Lane as an "extremely busy" and "severe rat run".
He expressed confidence that the flats would exacerbate existing parking problems, issues which he said had previously contributed to the surgery's relocation. His concerns echoed ten public objections received during consultation, which criticised the plan for potential parking woes, claiming the flats were "out of character" and that the site was "overdeveloped".
In contrast, a report from the council's own planning officers recommended approval. They argued the previous use as a doctors' surgery would have generated significantly higher daily traffic from patients, staff, and deliveries compared to residential use.
The officers also stated the new building's footprint was largely identical to the old surgery and that the design and materials complemented the surrounding area, which includes other flats. They concluded the development would improve the prominent corner site from the "dated" previous building which had "limited architectural merit".
The developer's statement within the application explained that "every reasonable and practicable effort" was made to follow the original permission, but unforeseen structural deficiencies and safety concerns made full demolition necessary. The former surgery had been empty since private healthcare company Summerfield Heath went into administration in 2023.
The planning committee will now visit the site in Great Barr before reconvening to make their final decision on whether the unauthorised flats can remain.
