Former West Bromwich community centre could be demolished for new home
An empty former community centre could be demolished to make way for a new house.
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The former Eli-Fletcher Sons of Rest building in Oak Road, West Bromwich, was sold by Sandwell Council in 2018 and has remained empty since.
But new plans submitted to the Black Country local authority could see the decaying building demolished to make way for a new four-bed house.
The community facility opened in the early 1950s as part of a movement to provide leisure clubs for retired men around Birmingham and the Black Country.
The application said the “redundant” building would be replaced with a “modern and spacious family home.”
A statement included with the application said: “The proposed development will provide a high-quality, well-designed family home, replacing an underutilised building with a sustainable and attractive residential dwelling.
“The scheme aligns with local and national planning policies and will contribute positively to the local housing stock.
“The proposal is suitable for approval based on its compliance with relevant planning guidance, high-quality design, and positive impact on the surrounding area.”
The building was previously owned by Sandwell Council which agreed to get rid of the building in 2018 saying it needed “significant investment” and there was no longer any demand for a facility in the area.
The local authority added that membership had been “very low for some time.”
A report from 2018 read: “Due to the availability of three buildings for community use within half a mile of the building it is considered that disposal of the Eli Fletcher building is the best course of action for the council.
“Three other options, in addition to disposal and community use of the building, were considered. Commercial use of the building was considered but the level of investment required to the building and the expected rental income suggested a poor rate of return to the council.
“This would be a higher risk option due to the uncertainty of commercial rental income over the long term.
“The cost of demolition for the development of two houses made the council house new build option not viable in financial terms.
“The final option was for the re-use of the building by other council services. No other council service has expressed any interest in making use of the building.”
