LAND in Rowley Regis which has stood empty for 25 years after towers blocks were levelled by controlled explosions is now to become the site of 27 new council homes.

Sandwell Council has been given the green light for the scheme after the borough’s planning committee voted unanimously to support the project.

The plans for 19, two bedroom and eight, four bedroom homes come after the council demolished the existing tower blocks on the junction of Reservoir Road and Maer Close, Rowley Regis back in 1995.

Halesowen News:

The development was part of four applications for new council homes put forward to a meeting of the planning committee which in total proposed a mix 70 flats, houses and bungalows.  

Councillor Peter Allen said the developments were a small part of the council’s overall plans for more housing, including a 750 homes on a brownfield land in Friar Park in Wednesbury which will be developed with private sector partners. 

He said: “It is a testament to Sandwell council that we are actually forging ahead and building homes on large and small areas where we have the land.”

Commending council officers, he added: “Praise were praise is due, it’s along time since we have had these sorts of applications coming forward to us.”

 A planning report to members said: “The site formally accommodated two local authority high rise blocks which were demolished some 25 years ago.

“The site is ‘bowl shaped’ and slopes from west to east.

"It is largely grass and scrub with trees around the perimeter, with greater tree coverage to a grassy embankment to the north.”

Halesowen News:

Sandwell Council has said the proposals are part of a £70million investment  to provide around 600 new council homes between 2018 and 2021.

Councillors also passed plans for three terraced homes on Barclay Road, Smethwick. 

Two other applications for an additional 40 councils homes were deferred for further information.