Black County council to buy garden centre and former police station
A council is set to buy a garden centre and former police station to make way for 50 new flats.
Sandwell Council said it will be working with affordable housing provider Cornerstone Housing to buy two sites including the former Smethwick police station and the Green Leevs Garden Center in Blackheath town centre as part of plans to build around 50 one and two-bed flats.
A report, which will be discussed by the Labour-led authority next week, said the garden centre in Halesowen Street, Blackheath, would be demolished to make way for around 22 new flats and the former Smethwick police station in Piddock Road would be refurbished and converted into between 28 and 31 one and two-bed flats.
The cabinet report said: “These schemes could deliver approximately 50 homes for affordable rent as part of the council’s wider priority to provide affordable, high-quality housing to contribute to addressing local housing need and the number of people on the waiting list for a council home.”
“The proposed development site on the corner of Horner Way and Halesowen Street, Blackheath, is currently in use as an operating garden centre ‘Green Leevs Garden Centre and Interior Plants’.
“Whilst not within the designated boundary of Blackheath town centre, the site is in very close proximity to the Britannia pub and Sainsbury’s supermarket both of which are visible from the site.
“The site is in a sustainable location for future residential development.
“Both locations are well connected to public transport, services and town centre amenities.
“Cornerstone is progressing land acquisition, with planning applications anticipated in spring 2026 and determination expected in autumn 2026.
“Subject to approvals, construction would commence in late 2026 or early 2027, with anticipated handover in spring 2028.”
Cornerstone Housing has already agreed terms to buy the former Smethwick police station and contracts will need to be exchanged by the end of the month as part of the agreement.
Sandwell Council said there was an “informal agreement” in place between Cornerstone and the owners of the Green Leevs Garden Centre to buy the site and it is expected to be formalised soon.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet meets in Oldbury on March 11 to make a decision.
