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Controversial plans to convert Halesowen Abbey barns into homes approved

Controversial plans to convert six disused barns on a historic site into homes and a visitor centre have been approved.

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Six homes will be created as part of the development after proposals received delegated approval from Dudley Council.

The site is within the grounds of the historic scheduled monument Halesowen Abbey.

It is accessed by a track leading to main farm house on the site and the abbey ruins.

Renewed plans were submitted by site owner Mrs Sue Tudor earlier this year after previous permissions expired.

And these have now been given a green-light by the council.

As part of the scheme, a track will be opened up to be used as a public right of way allowing visitors to see the abbey ruins more clearly.

Plans for a visitor centre for people to learn more about the history of the site has also been included in the plan.

Before work can begin, the authority has placed a number of conditions on the development including working out the details of lighting to be installed at the site and agreement of highway improvements.

But members of Halesowen Abbey Trust said they still had concerns about the project.

Spokesman Mick Freer said: "We have made our objections known but the renewed plans have still been approved.

"It is now up to the owners, the council and English Heritage to ensure the plans are delivered properly without harming this very important historic site.

"The barns are in a very poor condition, and I believe some of them are no longer standing.

"However this does mean homes will be built on the site of this monument and the concern is how the site is going to be treated.

"Dealing with one occupier is a very different to dealing with six and everyone has to be certain the site will be treated correctly."

Mr Freer said he was pleased with plans for the footpath which would give people a better look at the ruins.

But he said another concern was the fact there were currently no plans to actually use the visitors centre at the moment.

"We will now just have to wait and see what is done in regards to this scheme," he said.

"Hopefully everything will work out well and the site will be properly protected."

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