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Christian Barnett

Local Democracy Reporter covering Sandwell

September 24, 2024

Supporting image for story: 'Panic switches’ for Wolverhampton taxis to be considered after driver killed - full details amid Silent Crime campaign

'Panic switches’ for Wolverhampton taxis to be considered after driver killed - full details amid Silent Crime campaign

September 23, 2024

Supporting image for story: Plans for Oldbury children’s home is a ‘cash cow’ says former mayor

Plans for Oldbury children’s home is a ‘cash cow’ says former mayor

September 20, 2024

Supporting image for story: ‘Serious’ concerns over Smethwick petrol station’s 24-hour booze plan

‘Serious’ concerns over Smethwick petrol station’s 24-hour booze plan

Supporting image for story: Plans for apartment blocks on former Wednesbury car showroom approved

Plans for apartment blocks on former Wednesbury car showroom approved

September 19, 2024

Supporting image for story: Former Great Barr GP surgery that ‘vanished into thin air’ set to become flats

Former Great Barr GP surgery that ‘vanished into thin air’ set to become flats

September 18, 2024

Supporting image for story: New West Bromwich restaurant ordered to tear down kitchen built without planning permission

New West Bromwich restaurant ordered to tear down kitchen built without planning permission

September 17, 2024

Supporting image for story: Plan for flats off busy Black Country route given green light

Plan for flats off busy Black Country route given green light

Supporting image for story: Plan revealed to convert new Tipton houses into residential care home

Plan revealed to convert new Tipton houses into residential care home

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton shop owner could lose licence after search finds illicit vapes, untaxed booze and illegal pills

Wolverhampton shop owner could lose licence after search finds illicit vapes, untaxed booze and illegal pills

September 13, 2024

Supporting image for story: Council planning to double tax bills on empty and second homes in Wolverhampton

Council planning to double tax bills on empty and second homes in Wolverhampton

September 11, 2024

Supporting image for story: Council’s boundaries redrawn in biggest shake-up for 20 years

Council’s boundaries redrawn in biggest shake-up for 20 years

September 10, 2024

Supporting image for story: Council overruled in row over ‘noisy’ children’s home in West Bromwich

Council overruled in row over ‘noisy’ children’s home in West Bromwich

September 7, 2024

Supporting image for story: West Bromwich estate’s ‘dilapidated’ community centre to be demolished and replaced

West Bromwich estate’s ‘dilapidated’ community centre to be demolished and replaced

September 6, 2024

Supporting image for story: Bus lane between Dudley and Birmingham is ‘too expensive’ for congestion-cutting plans

Bus lane between Dudley and Birmingham is ‘too expensive’ for congestion-cutting plans

September 5, 2024

Supporting image for story: Former GP surgery was used as Airbnb without permission, angry neighbours claim

Former GP surgery was used as Airbnb without permission, angry neighbours claim

Supporting image for story: Damning review reveals errors that mean £18m extra needed to finish tower block refurb

Damning review reveals errors that mean £18m extra needed to finish tower block refurb

September 4, 2024

Supporting image for story: Petrol station on busy Wolverhampton road set to be demolished and replaced with bigger version

Petrol station on busy Wolverhampton road set to be demolished and replaced with bigger version

September 3, 2024

Supporting image for story: More homes planned next to industrial units and huge ‘urban village’

More homes planned next to industrial units and huge ‘urban village’

Supporting image for story: Sandwell Council rejects plan for new shisha lounge calling it ‘inappropriate’

Sandwell Council rejects plan for new shisha lounge calling it ‘inappropriate’

Supporting image for story: New flats will be allowed next to industrial estate amid concerns about noise

New flats will be allowed next to industrial estate amid concerns about noise

September 2, 2024

Supporting image for story: Sandwell Council recommends canalside homes should be built - despite concerns

Sandwell Council recommends canalside homes should be built - despite concerns

Supporting image for story: More than 50 homes planned to replace industrial site in Bilston

More than 50 homes planned to replace industrial site in Bilston

August 30, 2024

Supporting image for story: Decision on new West Bromwich mosque expected after delays over ‘parking nightmare’

Decision on new West Bromwich mosque expected after delays over ‘parking nightmare’

August 29, 2024

Supporting image for story: Plans for new care home in Oldbury to be discussed after neighbours object

Plans for new care home in Oldbury to be discussed after neighbours object

Supporting image for story: Fresh attempt to open new tuition centre in Smethwick after first was rejected

Fresh attempt to open new tuition centre in Smethwick after first was rejected

August 28, 2024

Supporting image for story: Illegal ‘backyard’ barber shop could be allowed to stay in Smethwick

Illegal ‘backyard’ barber shop could be allowed to stay in Smethwick

Supporting image for story: Single-storey former health centre to be transformed into nearly 40 flats

Single-storey former health centre to be transformed into nearly 40 flats

August 12, 2024

Supporting image for story: Homes planned for ‘eyesore’ land in Tipton which has lain empty for years

Homes planned for ‘eyesore’ land in Tipton which has lain empty for years

August 11, 2024

Supporting image for story: New bookies set to open in Wolverhampton despite council saying ‘there are too many’

New bookies set to open in Wolverhampton despite council saying ‘there are too many’

Supporting image for story: Flat plan in Wolverhampton office block with views of industrial estates thrown out by inspector

Flat plan in Wolverhampton office block with views of industrial estates thrown out by inspector

August 10, 2024

Supporting image for story: New petrol station could still be given green light despite council's 'poor design' concerns

New petrol station could still be given green light despite council's 'poor design' concerns

August 6, 2024

Supporting image for story: Ex-Wolves defender rapped after allowing lock-ins at wine bar despite warning

Ex-Wolves defender rapped after allowing lock-ins at wine bar despite warning

August 4, 2024

Supporting image for story: 'Inappropriate’ plan for 150 homes on green belt thrown out again - see reasons why

'Inappropriate’ plan for 150 homes on green belt thrown out again - see reasons why

Supporting image for story: Marston's' former Wolverhampton offices set for flat conversion as brewing venture sale completes

Marston's' former Wolverhampton offices set for flat conversion as brewing venture sale completes

August 3, 2024

Supporting image for story: Plan revealed to build new flats on historic former Wolverhampton tower block site

Plan revealed to build new flats on historic former Wolverhampton tower block site

Supporting image for story: Housing plans for city’s historic paint firm site approved

Housing plans for city’s historic paint firm site approved

August 1, 2024

Supporting image for story: Neighbours say they have been ‘through hell’ as four-year row over home comes to end

Neighbours say they have been ‘through hell’ as four-year row over home comes to end

July 30, 2024

Supporting image for story: Permission given for post office demolition - 18 months after the bulldozers flattened it

Permission given for post office demolition - 18 months after the bulldozers flattened it

July 26, 2024

Supporting image for story: Boxpark and cinema included in huge plan which could transform Wednesbury town centre

Boxpark and cinema included in huge plan which could transform Wednesbury town centre

July 25, 2024

Supporting image for story: Plans to spruce up empty Wednesbury town centre shops revealed

Plans to spruce up empty Wednesbury town centre shops revealed

July 24, 2024

Supporting image for story: Restaurant's licence to be decided after owners scrap 4am plan

Restaurant's licence to be decided after owners scrap 4am plan

July 23, 2024

Supporting image for story: 'I just want to look after my mom and dad,' man who built extension without permission tells meeting

'I just want to look after my mom and dad,' man who built extension without permission tells meeting

Supporting image for story: Council agrees to offload ‘essential’ Black Country community centre to charity in £1-a-year deal

Council agrees to offload ‘essential’ Black Country community centre to charity in £1-a-year deal

Supporting image for story: Sandwell Council approves new block of flats on curry house car park

Sandwell Council approves new block of flats on curry house car park

July 19, 2024

Supporting image for story: Vow to protect site of historic council-owned baths after spate of vandal attacks

Vow to protect site of historic council-owned baths after spate of vandal attacks

July 18, 2024

Supporting image for story: Shop owner still waiting for green light to demolish wall 16 months after it was removed

Shop owner still waiting for green light to demolish wall 16 months after it was removed

July 17, 2024

Supporting image for story: Plans to build townhouses opposite landmark pub revived after several years and no action

Plans to build townhouses opposite landmark pub revived after several years and no action

Supporting image for story: Move to add more rooms to HMO in former West Bromwich pub is blocked

Move to add more rooms to HMO in former West Bromwich pub is blocked

July 12, 2024

Supporting image for story: Council reveals plans to offer Oldbury community centre to trust for £1-a-year rent

Council reveals plans to offer Oldbury community centre to trust for £1-a-year rent

Supporting image for story: Plan to convert Bearwood home into private tuition centre rejected by council

Plan to convert Bearwood home into private tuition centre rejected by council

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