Plans for West Midlands Pub Conversion to HMO Recommended by Council
Background on the Forge Tavern
The Forge Tavern is a former pub on Furnace Street in Wednesbury. It closed in 2016 and has stood empty since. Many groups tried to reuse the building. Each plan met rejection from Sandwell Council. One plan aimed to build an Islamic school. Another sought to start a community centre. Both were stopped due to parking issues on nearby streets.
In recent years, the Warwickshire pub drew fresh attention. New plans now seek to change it into a house in multiple occupation (HMO). Local officials see this option as fitting for the area.
Current Proposal for HMO Conversion
Sandwell Council’s planning committee will meet on April 2. Local planning officers support a plan to turn the pub into an eight-bed HMO. The plan uses the empty building in a new way that the council welcomes.
The conversion plans keep the ground floor as it is for now. The pub’s former bar stays untouched. This area will be reconsidered later and needs its own planning application if used for business.
The proposal includes ten parking spaces. The council accepts these ten spaces as enough to solve past parking worries.
The Council’s Perspective
Sandwell Council sees this conversion as a way to improve the building and add more homes in the area. A report from the council shows that changing the use now can shift the building’s future. Even though past plans were blocked, the council feels this HMO project fits its community plan. They believe the area can grow stronger with this new use.
Long History of Proposals and Rejections
The journey to change the Forge Tavern has been long. Over the past eight years, five separate plans have tried to reuse the building. All focused on community projects. Each one was turned down because of worries about parking and transport. Two efforts to start an Islamic tuition centre were blocked in 2018 and again in 2021. These stops made people look closely at the building’s future.
Some plans that aimed to build community spaces got local support. They did not pass because of doubts over parking and a lack of clear community need.
Importance for Property Investors
Property investors may find this HMO case very interesting. Demand for shared homes in urban areas is high. Local officials now back plans like these. Investors who do careful research may see a good chance here. They can plan projects that meet local needs and have a better chance at approval. The work done in understanding the area shows that careful research and planning can help bring empty buildings back to use.
Conclusion
Sandwell Council will meet soon to discuss the HMO plan. The new plan for the Forge Tavern changes its outlook. The project may revive the old pub and add needed housing. Stakeholders and investors now watch the case with interest. The decision could mark a win for community projects and urban renewal in the West Midlands.
For more insights on property investment in the HMO sector, visit our resources here.
Sources
- Birmingham Live, Plans for West Midlands pub recommended as council say conversion will ‘uplift the area.’ Birmingham Live
- Sandwell Council Planning Documents. Sandwell Council
Disclaimer: This article has been generated by AI based on the latest news from Google News sources. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend verifying key details from official reports.
