Keep Smethwick church as a place of worship, says religious leader over flats plan

Plans have been lodged to turn The Church of God of Prophecy in Smethwick into 11 flats.

But Richard Umar Azeemi, who has worked at churches in the town, insists the church on Regent Street is of historical importance and should not be allowed to undergo major changes.

Mr Azeemi was part of a group which launched an unsuccessful attempt to save the church when it was put on the market and has lodged an objection with Sandwell Council over the new proposals.

As well as the loss of the church, he also raised concerns over parking if the church becomes flats and the impact on traffic.

The church was built in 1887 but closed in 2013. The plans to turn it into flats could signal the end of the building as a place of worship.

Mr Azeemi said: "Too many of these buildings have been turned into flats and accommodation. There used to be three churches on Regent Street, now there is only one.

"It is an important, historic building and it would be desecration of the building which has got balconies and pews for all that to be ripped out.

"There was a Methodist church in Smethwick that was empty for years and became a Sikh temple. That it was I see as good use for a religious building."

Mr Azeemi is hoping planning bosses at Sandwell Council will not allow the scheme to go ahead.

He added: "I do think there could be problems with parking and traffic.

"I call on planners to look very carefully at this."

When the church closed, some members of the congregation moved to the nearby Smethwick Baptist Church.

The church, which consists of two church buildings, features a large open plan room with a baptism pool, office accommodation and a first-floor balcony with seating. The rear building features a function room with a kitchen.