Sandwell complex moving forward

Work on a £6million sheltered housing complex in Sandwell could finally move forward - some six months later than planned.

An application to build an 'Extra Care' facility in the Greets Green area of West Bromwich was expected to be submitted in January, but it was put back as bosses carried out further consultation work.

Regeneration chiefs have now added that a planning application to build the facility in Coppice Street will be submitted to Sandwell Council by the end of the month.

Three years ago adult services chiefs in Sandwell announced plans to give every elderly residents their own front door through such a scheme.

But the plans for the first ever Extra Care Housing facility in West Bromwich were thrown into confusion when local residents saw the land, on the site of the former Meadows School, left empty.

It is now a derelict site, surrounded by metal fencing.

Greets Green Councillor Gurcharan Singh Sidhu said: "I think because of the economic climate the builders weren't so keen to go ahead with the project.

"We have always been very keen for it to start but in the current economy it is difficult."

But Ian Jennings, commissioning and project officer for Greets Green Partnership, reckons progress is being made.

"A planning application for the Extra Care scheme should be submitted by Housing 21 by the end of the month."

The multi-million pound development will feature up to 80 one and two-bed flats and bungalows for over-55s, which would be available for rent or shared ownership.

They would be built around communal areas including a restaurant and lounge, with round-the-clock care available for all residents.

The project is being delivered by Housing 21, a national provider of services for older people, along with Sandwell Council, Greets Green Partnership and West Midlands regeneration group Urban Living.

Anyone from Sandwell who fits the age limit will be able to apply to move into the homes.