Stories from Christian Barnett | Express & Star

Local news you can trust

Close

Supporting image.

Christian Barnett

Local Democracy Reporter covering Sandwell

February 17, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Affordable' flats planned for former Rowley Regis day centre site approved

'Affordable' flats planned for former Rowley Regis day centre site approved

Supporting image for story: HMO and shop plans for empty Grade II listed former bank building in a Black Country town

HMO and shop plans for empty Grade II listed former bank building in a Black Country town

February 16, 2026

Supporting image for story: Police object to re-opening of West Bromwich pub following 'baton attack'

Police object to re-opening of West Bromwich pub following 'baton attack'

February 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: Plans for 'huge' HMO at former Smethwick police training centre rejected

Plans for 'huge' HMO at former Smethwick police training centre rejected

February 14, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton pub keeps licence after violent brawl went unreported

Wolverhampton pub keeps licence after violent brawl went unreported

February 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: Ten-year multi-million-pound vision for Bilston set for approval next week

Ten-year multi-million-pound vision for Bilston set for approval next week

February 11, 2026

Supporting image for story: New student accommodation and shops approved for Wolverhampton

New student accommodation and shops approved for Wolverhampton

Supporting image for story: Smethwick desi pub could be demolished to make way for flats

Smethwick desi pub could be demolished to make way for flats

February 10, 2026

Supporting image for story: Changes made to plans for four new homes on ‘much-loved’ West Bromwich green space

Changes made to plans for four new homes on ‘much-loved’ West Bromwich green space

February 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Cramped' Wolverhampton HMO plans rejected over crime fears

'Cramped' Wolverhampton HMO plans rejected over crime fears

February 7, 2026

Supporting image for story: Eyesore former Cradley Heath mission hall could be converted into supported living flats

Eyesore former Cradley Heath mission hall could be converted into supported living flats

Supporting image for story: Council turns down converting Rowley Regis home into nursery

Council turns down converting Rowley Regis home into nursery

February 6, 2026

Supporting image for story: Former building society headquarters could become 100 West Bromwich flats

Former building society headquarters could become 100 West Bromwich flats

Supporting image for story: Dilapidated West Bromwich club will be demolished for flats

Dilapidated West Bromwich club will be demolished for flats

February 5, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton pub facing review after police saw 'unreported' late-night brawl on CCTV footage

Wolverhampton pub facing review after police saw 'unreported' late-night brawl on CCTV footage

Supporting image for story: Hearing to be held over new Smethwick restaurant's request for a licence

Hearing to be held over new Smethwick restaurant's request for a licence

February 4, 2026

Supporting image for story: Permission granted for new £12.5m council depot in Wolverhampton

Permission granted for new £12.5m council depot in Wolverhampton

February 3, 2026

Supporting image for story: A former police station in the Black Country could become flats under new plans

A former police station in the Black Country could become flats under new plans

Supporting image for story: The new plans that will see a landmark Sandwell pub demolished - here's what is replacing The Wheatsheaf

The new plans that will see a landmark Sandwell pub demolished - here's what is replacing The Wheatsheaf

February 2, 2026

Supporting image for story: Smethwick HMO likened to 'battery farm’ could still go ahead

Smethwick HMO likened to 'battery farm’ could still go ahead

February 1, 2026

Supporting image for story: Developer told they can't build more homes on ‘landslide’ Cradley Heath estate appeals decision

Developer told they can't build more homes on ‘landslide’ Cradley Heath estate appeals decision

January 30, 2026

Supporting image for story: Bid to re-open Wolverhampton off-licence that sold alcohol to children rejected

Bid to re-open Wolverhampton off-licence that sold alcohol to children rejected

January 29, 2026

Supporting image for story: Cafe planned after Wolverhampton shop ordered to take down marquee

Cafe planned after Wolverhampton shop ordered to take down marquee

January 26, 2026

Supporting image for story: Controversial HMO plans for Smethwick home rejected a second time

Controversial HMO plans for Smethwick home rejected a second time

Supporting image for story: Flats and cafe plan for former bank in Wolverhampton city centre

Flats and cafe plan for former bank in Wolverhampton city centre

January 25, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton off-licence applies to re-open after twice being shut down after selling alcohol to children

Wolverhampton off-licence applies to re-open after twice being shut down after selling alcohol to children

January 23, 2026

Supporting image for story: £27m ‘green innovation corridor’ in Wolverhampton approved

£27m ‘green innovation corridor’ in Wolverhampton approved

Supporting image for story: New Wolverhampton driving test centre planned to tackle huge demand

New Wolverhampton driving test centre planned to tackle huge demand

January 22, 2026

Supporting image for story: Owners of ‘temporary’ 24-hour car park in Wolverhampton ask to stay open another year

Owners of ‘temporary’ 24-hour car park in Wolverhampton ask to stay open another year

January 21, 2026

Supporting image for story: Committee approves new grill at empty vandalised Wolverhampton pub

Committee approves new grill at empty vandalised Wolverhampton pub

January 20, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Investing in the future' - Plans for to relocate Oldbury primary school into new £20m building approved

'Investing in the future' - Plans for to relocate Oldbury primary school into new £20m building approved

January 19, 2026

Supporting image for story: Plans submitted for new £2m Wolverhampton school extension

Plans submitted for new £2m Wolverhampton school extension

January 18, 2026

Supporting image for story: Plans for civil engineering firm to expand its Bilston headquarters to be discussed

Plans for civil engineering firm to expand its Bilston headquarters to be discussed

January 16, 2026

Supporting image for story: Former Wolves defender's wine bar stripped of licence as owner complains 'I can't win'

Former Wolves defender's wine bar stripped of licence as owner complains 'I can't win'

Supporting image for story: Plan to open sweet shop in West Bromwich home is rejected

Plan to open sweet shop in West Bromwich home is rejected

Supporting image for story: Specialist accommodation for children to be demolished for new housing in Wolverhampton

Specialist accommodation for children to be demolished for new housing in Wolverhampton

Supporting image for story: Willenhall primary school to be demolished and replaced under new plans

Willenhall primary school to be demolished and replaced under new plans

January 14, 2026

Supporting image for story: New council houses in Tipton to cost nearly £1m over budget, council confirms

New council houses in Tipton to cost nearly £1m over budget, council confirms

Supporting image for story: Decision to be made on re-opening empty Wolverhampton pub after flats were built without permission

Decision to be made on re-opening empty Wolverhampton pub after flats were built without permission

January 13, 2026

Supporting image for story: New Lidl supermarket in Wolverhampton granted alcohol licence

New Lidl supermarket in Wolverhampton granted alcohol licence

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton Buddhist temple’s plans for new community hall rejected

Wolverhampton Buddhist temple’s plans for new community hall rejected

January 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Bromwich pub applies to re-open after 'horrifying' baton attack

West Bromwich pub applies to re-open after 'horrifying' baton attack

Supporting image for story: Flats plan for former Wolverhampton care home redrawn after criticism

Flats plan for former Wolverhampton care home redrawn after criticism

January 10, 2026

Supporting image for story: Delayed decision on whether Great Barr flats can stay after doctor's surgery demolished without permission

Delayed decision on whether Great Barr flats can stay after doctor's surgery demolished without permission

January 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wednesbury's £1million hilltop house will become children’s home as plans approved

Wednesbury's £1million hilltop house will become children’s home as plans approved

Supporting image for story: Plans for £20m new Oldbury primary school and 190 new homes take a step forward

Plans for £20m new Oldbury primary school and 190 new homes take a step forward

January 6, 2026

Supporting image for story: Ex-Wolves footballer made to wait by council as future of Wolverhampton wine bar hangs in the balance

Ex-Wolves footballer made to wait by council as future of Wolverhampton wine bar hangs in the balance

Supporting image for story: Former flagship M&S store in Wolverhampton will be turned into 70 flats as developers make a pledge to shoppers

Former flagship M&S store in Wolverhampton will be turned into 70 flats as developers make a pledge to shoppers

Supporting image for story: Former police training centre in Smethwick could become HMO under new plans

Former police training centre in Smethwick could become HMO under new plans

January 5, 2026

Supporting image for story: Police say ‘hive of illegal activity’ off-licence in West Bromwich should not be allowed to re-open

Police say ‘hive of illegal activity’ off-licence in West Bromwich should not be allowed to re-open