Farmhouse listing call

A 19th century red brick farmhouse could be demolished to make way for new homes, prompting campaigners to call for the building to be listed.

Peak House Farm in Great Barr used to be surrounded by open countryside, but it is now set amidst the huge sprawling Birmingham conurbation, although it still faces green belt land to the west.

The building is currently unlisted and the three owners of the land and farmhouse, who are believed to be cousins from different parts of the UK have applied to turn the site into eight houses and three apartments.

However, conservation officers at Sandwell Council say they want to get the farmhouse listed as it one of the few examples remaining of a bygone era when Sandwell was more rural.

It ceased to be a working farm more than 20 years ago but people have rented it as a private home since then and tenants are currently still on the site.

The building dates back to 1870-80 and was extended to include a dairy, coal store and offices. Local historian Tony Lewis said it should be listed.

"Too many old buildings have been knocked down," he said.

"I believe there was planning permission to knock it down many years ago but I would hope opinion has changed since then. The council is keen to keep it as it is a rare part of Sandwell's history."

A report to planners by agents for the applicants Balfours, based in Shrewsbury, says: "The farm buildings at Peak House Farm are in a state of dereliction as a result of farming having ceased some time ago.

"The farm was not very big, more of a croft than an estate farm and as a result does not have the quality seen in Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire."