Plans to turn 196-year-old Dudley pub into children's home sparks backlash

The plans have also sparked opposition from Dudley Council's children's services, which says the location is unsuitable.

Black Eye Property registered a planning application last month to convert the former Bush Inn, in Buffery Road, Dudley, into an unspecified 'residential institution' - sparking fears that it could be a bail hostel.

The developer has since clarified that the development will be for a children's home providing accommodation for 11 vulnerable children in need of residential care.

It said the building would be divided into two units, the one to accommodate five children and the other for six. 

In the daytime there would be a total of 8-12 staff on duty, falling to 4-6 overnight.

But the scheme has attracted 24 objections from the public, with the police also voicing concerns about the plans.

Shain Akhtar, commissioning officer for children's services at Dudley Council, also expressed opposition to the plans.

He said the site was at a very busy road junction, which was known to have several accidents. 

"The area is known for anti-social behaviour and high crime, and the surrounding area has a number of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs)," said Mr Akhtar.

"This would not be a suitable place for a children’s home or an HMO."

Pc Bob Manson, a crime-prevention officer, said there had been 48 offences of violent crime reported in the previous 12 months, along with three incidents of anti-social behaviour, 12 vehicle crimes and seven burglaries.

"I have concerns about this planning application," he said.

Pensioners Paul and Isobel Byrne initially feared the plan was going to be for a bail hostel.

"We're petrified," she said, adding that some of the neighbouring homes were valued at up to £1 million.

Nadeem Anwar, of Bennetts Hill, said: "This proposed home will have a big impact on the area and the local residents, and not a positive one 

"It will create difficulty for the existing residents in the area and vicinity of the property."

Frederick Slater of Oakham Road said: "The specific needs of the residents has not been made clear. These plans should absolutely not go ahead as it will add further strain to an already high crime area."

The applicant said the pub had been vacant for almost 12 months, during which time the building had deteriorated. The building had been actively marketed for 24 months with Christies and Co, through local and online platforms. But there had been limited interest due to its location, structural condition, and declining viability as a pub business.

The pub closed in April last year, after being sold to developers by previous owner Marston's in a sale which also included the former Crooked House.

For the previous 18 years The Bush had been run by tenant Andy Price and his wife Sue.

The pub first opened as The Holly Bush in 1828 and was demolished and rebuilt in 1905.

It was bought from John Rolinson & Son by the former Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries in 1925.

On his last night in charge, Mr Price spoke of his sadness at the decline in the pub trade.

"It was a very popular pub back in the day, but all pubs are struggling now – it is a dying trade," he said.

"I've got mixed emotions about closing. We were losing money, but I will miss all the friends I have made here," he added.

The Bush Inn, which had a 35-seater upstairs restaurant added in 2000, was among a number of pubs that Marston's put up for sale in March 2023, described as 'non-core properties'

The proposals will now be considered by Dudley Council's planning department.