Listed: Future sites earmarked for development in Sandwell
There are acres of land across Sandwell that have been earmarked as future sites for housing including huge plans with hundreds of new homes each.
The biggest plans which include 200 or more homes, are spread across Sandwell and include 500 canalside homes and hundreds of new homes on old factory sites in Smethwick, hundreds of homes in West Bromwich, more than 600 new homes as part of the new Friar Park ‘urban village’ in Wednesbury and 200 homes at Lion Farm in Oldbury.
The draft local plan shows where Sandwell Council believes up to 11,000 new homes could be built by 2041.
These are the ten biggest sites allocated for housing in the draft Sandwell Local Plan.
Friar Park Urban Village, 630 homes
The biggest site across Sandwell that has been earmarked for housing is the new Friar Park ‘urban village’ which is benefiting from millions of pounds in government ‘levelling up’ money and includes plans for up to 630 new homes.
Edwin Richards Quarry, Rowley Regis – more than 600 new homes
A multi-million-pound plan to transform the former Edwin Richards Quarry was revealed a decade ago – a scheme that included hundreds of new homes, a waste plant, and a promise to fill the quarry with 12 million tonnes of imported materials across at least 30 years – and the land has long been touted by Sandwell Council as a site for future housing.
An application to build 281 of the homes was signed off by Sandwell Council this year.
The quarry had a more than 100-year history of extracting dolerite, known famously as Rowley Rag and used extensively for building roads, before closing in 2008.
Rattlechain, Temple Way, Tividale – 518 homes
The hazardous waste landfill site in Tividale has also long been classed as a future housing site by Sandwell Council but its inclusion has not come without controversy. While the dumping of waste ceased in 2006, there are concerns the land is not safe.
Grove Lane, Cranford Street, London Street, Smethwick – 500 homes
The industrial estate next to the new but much-delayed Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick has been earmarked as a potential site for up to 500 new homes.
The site is also included in the Grove Lane ‘masterplan’ which itself includes plans for up to 800 new homes around the ‘super’ hospital site.
North Smethwick Canalside – 500 homes
The huge industrial units that line the side of Bridge Street North in Smethwick are all expected to be demolished in the future for this huge new regeneration project. Despite this, Sandwell Council still approved a new waste site for part of the land for up to three years – a move that has angered residents.
Queens Square Living, West Bromwich – 396 homes, West Bromwich Central – 343 homes, George Street Living, West Bromwich – 327 homes
There are several strands of the West Bromwich ‘masterplan’ which would see hundreds, if not nearly a thousand, new homes and flats in the town centre including in Queens Square, George Street the Kings Square shopping centre.
Chances Glass Works – 276 homes
The Chance Brothers factory in Smethwick closed in 1981 and the Chance Heritage Trust has been working to bring the former glassworks back to life. Up to 276 homes could be built on the site.
Lion Farm, Oldbury – 200 homes
Plans for a controversial outlet village with 90 shops, cafes, restaurants and other facilities on the land next to the M5 were revealed in 2019. The plans were met with a backlash from residents around the estate who were against building on the 13 football pitches that were regularly used by teams, dogwalkers and the local community.
The site has been allocated for ‘mixed use’ by Sandwell Council and the plans include the potential for up to 200 new home
