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

A landmark pub in Sandwell will be demolished and replaced with assisted living flats under revised plans approved by a council.

The latest plan by Kuldeep Marwaha on behalf of Marsons Oakham Developments would see the former Wheatsheaf pub in Turners Hill, Rowley Regis, demolished and replaced with 19 assisted living flats for adults with learning disabilities under plans approved by Sandwell Council.

The local authority approved plans to demolish and replace the pub, which closed in 2019, with 20 ‘ultra modern’ homes in 2023.

The council’s planners said the new assisted living flats would “visually enhance the area.”

“The site forms part of a wider open space allocation,” a report outlining the decision said.

“However, the site is previously developed land on the edge of the allocation, and the development would not unduly harm its openness.

“Furthermore, the land is in private ownership and has no amenity value as open space.

“The design and appearance of the building is modern, and the building line addresses the corner of the site adequately.

“The building would sit in isolation on this frontage, and a modern design provides an opportunity to visually enhance the area.”

Up to 20 staff from West Bromwich-based Select Lifestyles would provide one-to-one care during the day, the application said.

The new plans include a communal lounge and a 23-space car park.

A statement included with the application said: “It is proposed that the new scheme will enhance the local area and provide modern apartment living within a suitable location.”

The plans for 20 flats were approved by Sandwell Council’s planning committee in 2023, 18 months after the plans were submitted, despite a number of objections.

There were concerns about the flats plan by Jugraaj Singh with some objectors saying that two dozen more cars using the “perilous” and “dangerous” four-way junction on the corner of Turners Hill would be a recipe for disaster.

Objectors had also said the surrounding streets were already congested and the application did not provide enough parking space for visitors. This would also make the already congested roads during busy pick-up and drop-off times at nearby Oakham Primary School even worse, the objectors said.

But highways officers at Sandwell Council said they had “no serious safety concerns” about the plan and stated that the building’s former use as a pub would have attracted more cars than the proposed flats.

The council’s highways department also said that parking spaces for visitors to the flats could be “comfortably” accommodated on nearby streets.

A planning application was first submitted to the council in 2022 which included a ground floor shop as well as a number of flats.

The application was later redrawn after receiving criticism and replaced the shop with extra flats.