Plans for 34 new homes approved next to ‘urban village’ in Wednesbury
A council has backed a plan to build more homes next to a proposed ‘urban village’ in Wednesbury.
According to a planning application by Keon Homes, which has been approved by Sandwell Council, up to 34 two- and three-bedroom homes will be built off Friar Park Road in Wednesbury.
The homes would be built next to the drinks firm and Irn Bru maker AG Barr’s site.
The land is surrounded by the proposed site for the town’s 630-home ‘urban village’ plans.
A statement included with the application said: “The development will introduce a high-quality housing scheme to contribute toward meeting a local need on a brownfield site, use building materials that complement the existing properties that surround the site, provide appropriate parking provision for residents and visitors and provide a mix and range of new homes with an attractive design.”
The plans for the Friar Park ‘urban village’ include up to 630 new homes and the improvements to the nearby Millennium Community Centre in Friar Park Road would use most of the £20 million awarded to Sandwell Council in government ‘levelling up’ money.
Over half of the money will be used to prepare nearly 67 acres of fields in Friar Park Road, next to the M6, to make way for 630 new homes.
The land was supposed to have been ready to hand over to developers by September 2026 but will now not be ready until December 2027.
Sandwell Council said it expected the homes to be built by 2031 based on the land being ready in June 2024, so the huge project will likely face longer delays.
The Millennium Centre will be renovated alongside a new events space for 150 people under plans backed by Sandwell Council earlier this year.
The community centre currently houses a nursery and children’s play area, dance studio, sports hall and meeting spaces but would be extended to make for the new events space for weddings and parties, DJ sets and open mic nights.
A new cafe will also be built.
Housing developer Persimmon is also planning to build 105 homes on fields next to the Wednesbury estate’s High Point Academy.
