Landmark ex-West Brom Building Society HQ earmarked for homes

Society House, in High Street, was the home of West Bromwich Building Society until August last year.

But if plans are approved, it would come as a blow to business chiefs who said there had been ‘dozens’ of business inquiries on the office block when it originally went on the market.

But developers say that the current trend for the area has swayed more towards residential.

Councillor Bawa Dhallu, who represents the West Bromwich Central ward, said he was pleased that plans had gone forward for the building.

He explained: "I think its a good idea. In Sandwell we are always in need of more houses in the area, so this will be a positive.

"We can only gather that if the right person didn't come forward for the space to be used by offices again, then at least a good use will come out of this for housing.

"I don't like to see any building sitting there empty, if someone has come forward with the right plans for housing then this will be a good idea."

Proposals submitted last week are for change of use from offices to 98 one bed dwellings.

The properties would be situated over eight floors, including car parking.

West Bromwich Building Society moved in to the site in 1978.

They relocated less than a mile away to new headquarters on Providence Place last year, stating that the building was no longer ‘meeting the needs for their businesses practically’.

Councillor Preet Gill, for St Paul’s Ward, welcomed the wave of interest in the site. She said: “I think it is really good for the local economy of West Bromwich. Around the High Street there have been some closures so this will is welcoming news.

“Having a derelict building is always an issue, so in the interim period, getting new business in, will be a positive story.”

In December last year, Richard Williams from Real estate agency Knight Frank, said: “We have had a number of ongoing inquiries with serious expressions of interest from a variety of sectors."

There had been previous talk when the society moved out that there was suggestion the office block could be converted into housing.