Supermarket plan for disused Sandwell site
A supermarket and six flats could be built on the site of a demolished social club near to where a teenager was killed.
Plans have been submitted for land formerly occupied by the Home Guard and Old Comrades Club, in Oldbury Road, Smethwick.
It was the scene of an attack on Walsall teenager Ben Morutare who was stabbed in the leg on July 27 2012 and later died.
The club was subsequently demolished and the site has remained empty since then.
Integrated Designs and Associates Ltd has now submitted plans for the store and flats to Sandwell Council.
If approved, a 580sq m supermarket will be created on the ground floor of the new building with the flats built on the upper two levels.
A report to the council says the new development would be in approximately the same position as the former club with a car park to the front and side.
The entrance to the supermarket would be in the south east corner of the building off Fenton Street and accessed from the car park.
The report says that the aim of the development will be to improve the appearance of the junction and provide a supermarket to reduce the need to car travel for residents and workers.
It states: "The retail unit will make a positive contribution to regenerating an area which is recent years has been in decline.
"The scheme not only provides employment directly and indirectly but also improves a rundown and untidy corner site.
"It is clear the proposals will add to the established local centre where the demand is already proven."
Coalpool schoolboy Ben was knifed while trying to protect a friend during a night of violence surrounding a party.
A fight broke out between groups of youths and Ben, of Holden Crescent, was chased by up to 30 men across a car park and into Chatwin Street.
He was found with a stab wound to his upper thigh, which had severed a main artery.
He died later at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Student Andy Ly was given a seven-year term in a young offenders' institution for the manslaughter of the 16-year-old, despite denying he delivered the fatal blow.
Five others, all aged between 18 and 20, including a Halesowen Town footballer, were also locked up for their part in the incident.
In August 2012, the club was targeted in a suspected arson attack and demolished.
