A move to demolish an ageing sports pavilion to make for £1m new changing rooms has received the backing of a council’s planners Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 The 70-year-old pavilion at the Hydes Road playing fields in Wednesbury will be demolished and replaced by Sandwell Council as part of plans to improve facilities now approved by the Black Country local authority include a new pavilion with changing rooms The project was expected to have been completed by March 2025 but the deadline was then pushed back to January 2026 Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Express & Star’s free newsletter the latest update on the ‘levelling up’ project shows the council expects the work to be ‘mostly’ finished by March 2026 – a full year later than planned – and the new changing rooms would still remain out of use The demolition and rebuild are currently expected to cost at least £1.1million which is only now used on Sunday mornings by local football teams has become damaged by rot and rainwater and requires “significant investment” according to the council The football pitches would be improved by the summer with the car park not resurfaced until next year when most of the pavilion work has finished Sandwell Council said last year that the pavilion rebuild would be the most expensive option and take the longest – with the new pavilion even smaller than the current one – but the building would have a lifespan of 30 years rather than between five and 10 years The original Hydes Road scheme included a complete refurbishment of the pavilion These plans were approved but later surveys found “significant issues” with the integrity of the pavilion’s walls and said the building had only a “limited” lifespan which included refurbishing the existing dilapidated building rather than demolishing and rebuilding it Hydes Road is one of four green spaces earmarked for improvements in the council’s ‘levelling up’ work which also includes the open spaces at Balls Hill The project also includes the 600-home Friar Park ‘urban village’ and improvements to Wednesbury town centre and the Millennium Centre There are no changes to bin collections - please put your bins out on the usual day The improvements are part of the Wednesbury Levelling Up Programme (LUP) and the wider Public Realm project These improvements have been funded by HM Government.  The revitalised area now features new paving These enhancements aim to create a more attractive welcoming and accessible environment for both residents and visitors.  The improved lighting is designed not only to illuminate the space beautifully but also to help passengers feel safer when waiting for the Metro new trees and shrubs have been planted to enhance the streetscape and contribute to the area's green infrastructure With the expansion of the West Midlands Metro Network and with its location at the centre of this network  Wednesbury will take on a new prominence These improvements are therefore just the beginning of more widespread changes to the town proposed in the Wednesbury Town Centre Masterplan.  Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure said: "This is an exciting upgrade for Wednesbury that transforms the Great Western Street Metro area into a more inviting public space and gateway to the town These improvements are part of our commitment to making Sandwell cleaner greener and safer for everyone."  Chair of Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership Board said: “The Board wants more people to use Wednesbury town centre The Metro area improvements are a key element of the investment into public spaces being supported by the Wednesbury  Levelling Up Partnership This has already included new and upgraded CCTV cameras and a radio link scheme to support businesses in the town centre." For more information on the public realm project or other LUP initiatives, visit our Regenerating Sandwell website We recommend you upgrade your software or view our website on an alternate device or browser To sign up to play or for help with your People’s Postcode Lottery account, call our Customer Experience team on 0808 109 8765 or email us at info@postcodelottery.co.uk. Jake Brant banked a share of a £1 Million prize after he made the shrewd decision to sign up again just six weeks ago after moving house Now the talented tattooist wants to splash out by refurbishing his studio buying his dream car and jetting off to Florida Jake from Wednesbury in West Midlands said: "It's life-changing man I'm going to renovate the shop for the guys so we can all enjoy the winnings We want it to be best in the Midlands - we already are by work but the shop just needs to get there and it can due to the winnings." Jake is among ten neighbours sharing the Millionaire Street prize after postcode WS10 7EL in Wednesbury was announced as the winner Jake was surprised by a Postcode Lottery crew at his Seven Wonders Tattoo Parlour in Walsall and his colleagues and family cheered and let off confetti cannons as his cheque was revealed The celebrations were like a Formula 1 trophy presentation after Jake's pal Tommy Franham showered him in champagne outside their parlour Jake purchased the tattoo studio in 2023 and brought along six of his friends and fellow artists to work in the shop After achieving his ultimate ambition of purchasing his own parlour Jake said: "It's always been a lifelong goal so opening the shop was like a place for me and for them we have a right laugh here and so if I can make it even better that's a bonus kit it out and give everyone who works here the best working environment and put it to good use." Jake's mum Helen shed a few tears after catching a glimpse of his winning sum and he put all his savings on getting this place He's had a couple of knockbacks in his life Jake admitted that he’d cancelled his Postcode Lottery ticket after playing for a few years but he reinstated it in February using the postcode for his rented house in Wednesbury He said: "I played it for a couple of years and I only re-signed up to it in February just gone I signed up again on a whim and I'm so glad I did Jake also has his eyes set on high-end new wheels but said he might help his girlfriend first He said: "I'd love a brand-new Land Rover Defender My girlfriend needs a new car because hers has just broke so I'll probably get her a new car and then just see what happens with the rest." who has lost count of how many tattoos he has is poised to add another tattoo to his body to commemorate his lottery win but I'll definitely get something in memory of this." Jake and girlfriend Zoe Langley are also jetting off to the USA for a fabulous holiday Zoe also said they might adopt another four-legged friend Simon and Angela Angell also celebrated winning £100,000 now wants to buy a Harley-Davidson motorbike much to his wife's dismay I've got a little Honda CMX500 Rebel but I might upgrade to a Harley." Angela teased: "He promised he was never going to have another bike but of course Social care worker Angela explained how she'll be able to go on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the other side of the world She said: "I've got a big birthday in a few years and I really wanted to go on a cruise round Antarctica but it's quite expensive I've been trying to save but now it's going to happen It's going to be the holiday of a lifetime The couple told how they'll also treat their grown-up children Ryan and Megan Angela said: "It's definitely life-changing It's going to make a big difference to us and our kids Also among our lucky winners were supermarket worker Karen Steen and NHS phlebotomist Jennifer Carter The neighbours' win also means a number of charities in and around Wednesbury will receive funding One organisation – Friar Park Millenium Centre – has received £40,000 from Postcode Community Trust supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery project manager at the Friar Park Millennium Centre welcoming and inclusive space for the local residents and surrounding areas There are a range of activities and support available each day of the week to cater for all The local people are the heart of the community centre and receiving this funding will help us continue to support and provide for our local and neighbouring communities." and it will really help and support us with our upcoming plans It has really widened our opportunities for the community and will enable us to fulfil the needs for these individuals." Other local charities who have benefitted from this week’s Millionaire Street prize include: Darlaston Youth Centre - £30,000 Committed to youth engagement and participation Working with young people to help raise aspirations They offer a variety of services that can be used by young people Sandwell Citizens Advocacy - £25,000 A well-established community-based organisation providing independent advocacy since 1993 through a team of qualified practitioners Helping to support vulnerable and marginalised people All funding was awarded by Postcode Community Trust Players aren't the only ones who benefit from People's Postcode Lottery. A minimum of 30% of each ticket price goes to charities and good causes more than £1.5 Billion has been raised for thousands of deserving projects around the world Not playing yet? Do you know about all the amazing Prizes our players can win? Learn about how People's Postcode Lottery works and sign up to play today New dad Dave Lowe told how he won a whopping £404,048 on People’s Postcode Lottery - because of his newborn baby daughter Eight neighbours in a block of flats are celebrating together after sharing a £1 Million prize on People’s Postcode Lottery A son won three times more than his dad on People's Postcode Lottery after he kept playing with his parents' address - despite moving out… Police have shared a photo of a man officers want to speak to after a shop worker was assaulted during a robbery The incident happened at a store in Market Place, Wednesbury at around 11.55am on March 19 A man was punched and kicked and mobile phones were taken from the shop A teenager has previously been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident as part of police enquiries Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on our website The masterplan for Wednesbury's future has been unveiled today  a document that will guide how the town centre changes over the next 10-15 years and will help the council with decision-making  We want to ensure that the town centre thrives grows and is ready to meet the challenges faced by climate change economic and behavioural changes in the future Having a masterplan is a useful tool that will help access funding for improvements and regeneration in the town from the UK government and elsewhere as it sets out the priority projects in the Town Centre Watch the video to find out more about the masterplan which sets out an ambitious but deliverable vision for Wednesbury After listening to the local community we believe that the overarching aim of the plan is to strengthen the town centre as the vibrant heart of Wednesbury a historic Black Country market town with a proud heritage and a contemporary place where people live and work which supports the needs and wellbeing of local communities The following aims were developed by recognising the need to make sure that change is balanced with making the most of the town centre’s existing strengths and character and from feedback received: said: “By setting a vision and priorities for the Town Centre through this Masterplan we will focus on the areas that matter most to the town and the community It will also provide the basis on which we can encourage further investment in Wednesbury to come forward.” Find out more about the masterplan on our Regenerating Sandwell website. Passengers travelling between Wolverhampton and Wednesbury have been warned there will be no trams due to "essential works" West Midlands Metro said there would be no service between Wednesbury Parkway and Wolverhampton stops The only trams in operation between Wednesbury Parkway and Edgbaston Village West Midlands Railway trains between Wolverhampton and Birmingham may be used by people with Metro season tickets and passes. Alternative transport is also available on National Express 79 buses between Wednesbury bus station and Wolverhampton The timetable for this service was enhanced to connect with the first and last trams SWG has revitalised 12 one-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom two-storey apartments while also adding two brand new one-bedroom single-storey apartments within the original under-used underpasses The project not only improves the quality of housing for residents but also enhances the surrounding environment with new landscaping modernised communal spaces and upgraded facilities SWG completed essential works including a new steel frame pitched roof The scheme was designed by Sandwell Council’s Urban Design Building Services Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development said: “This project has refurbished existing apartments to improve living standards for our residents while also providing much-needed new homes which is so important given the ever-increasing demands on council housing.  “I am also delighted to see how this construction project has positively supported jobs work experience and training opportunities for the local community.” added: “We’re thrilled to have completed the new-build and retrofit work at Thorn Close not only in terms of the quality of the homes we’ve created but also the positive influence we’ve had on the local community “We're committed to supporting local residents creating jobs and providing work placements that help young people get a start in the construction industry." The Thorn Close project played an important role in supporting young people and the local workforce SWG provided valuable work placements and training opportunities for young people including a local painting and decorating student who gained hands-on experience on-site a local resident from Thorn Close who was previously not in education employment or training was given the chance to work on the project offering him a valuable opportunity to gain skills and work experience close to home SWG also contributed to the local area by donating painting materials and labour to St Mary’s Church Hall and improving the Thorn Close compound area with new turfing The company also held fundraising coffee mornings at their offices in Wolverhampton and Welshpool to support Heart Care Healthy Living a charity dedicated to helping communities in Walsall Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas to manage heart and lung health issues The Sandwell Safe Spaces scheme has officially launched in Wednesbury town centre and Great Bridge in Tipton which has already been running in West Bromwich town centre and Bearwood in Smethwick provides a safe indoor location for people who may feel vulnerable distressed or worried while out and about in high streets and town centres libraries and other organisations where you can go if you feel unsafe outside you can call and wait for a family member or friend to collect you or for the police to arrive The new Safe Spaces scheme in Wednesbury town centre was launched at Morrisons in November while Asda hosted the launch in Great Bridge said: “We have joined this scheme because we believe in doing the right thing for our community We’re providing a safe space for the community should they need it Working closely with local partners has been important to us we want people to feel safe and supported in the area.”  Food Hall Trading Manager at Asda Great Bridge said: “The Safe Spaces scheme is an important initiative that no doubt will play a key part in making our local community feel safer when out and about We are pleased to be supporting this great scheme and welcome anyone who feels vulnerable or unsafe to come into our store.”  Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community said: “I would like to welcome businesses and organisations in Wednesbury and Great Bridge who are new to the Safe Spaces scheme I would also like to thank all those businesses and organisations already involved in our schemes in West Bromwich and Bearwood Pedestrians can now cross a major Wednesbury road safely after a temporary pedestrian crossing was installed to help people avoid a flooded underpass Sandwell Council has installed a temporary pedestrian crossing on Black Country New Road and reduced the speed limit to 30mph to make the crossing safe for pedestrians The underpass below Steel Roundabout in Leabrook Road was flooded when a water main suffered a major burst in November The flooding damaged the electric control panel and pumps that normally keeps the underpass clear of naturally occurring groundwater and run-off from the surrounding area and work continued over the weekend to clean up silt and cut back shrubs and bushes to make the underpass usable A temporary pump is expected to be installed by the end of this week to prevent future flooding issues Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for environment and highways Councillor Keith Allcock said: “The temporary crossing means pedestrians can now cross this major route safely while we finish the work to clean up the underpass following the flooding “Work is continuing this week to get the temporary pump in place and we’re doing all we can to get a new permanent pump installed to ensure we have no further problems here “I would like to thank residents for bearing with us while the necessary work has been carried out and we’re sorry for the inconvenience that has been caused.” The temporary crossing will remain in place until the work on a permanent pump is completed A popular Wednesbury pub is set to be given a new lease of life as it undergoes a substantial refurbishment The Queens Head on Brunswick Park Road closes next week for a £210,000 refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and new licensees Karen and Michael Cooper, who also run The Plough at Oldbury The Black Country born-and-bred duo took over The Queens Head in October with the aim of reviving its fortunes after five years without a permanent publican The pub will close after last orders on Saturday and reopen in mid-April The outside works will revamp the front of The Queens Head with a new look while a new 50-seater patio will be developed on the carpark behind the pub opening onto the existing garden which will be transformed with a major makeover the garden will have a large lawn and a covered all-weather alfresco area seating an additional 40 people as well as a pizza oven and servery selling drinks and ice creams colourful parasols and planters will complete the look The inside of the pub will be completely redecorated too with the carpets and curtains being replaced and complemented with a mix of new and reupholstered furniture the Coopers are overhauling the cellar with state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints and seeking Cask Marque approval for the five cask ales they have introduced A coffee machine will also be installed and cocktails added Having won customer approval for their freshly prepared traditional pub food, with the homemade lasagne and sell-out Sunday roasts being favourites, the Coopers are also upgrading the kitchen and extending the menu with bottomless brunches and afternoon teas. There will also be multiple activities planned to put The Queens Head back at the heart of the community and live entertainment; events on special occasions and fundraisers for local good causes selected by regulars the couple are putting up a new darts board and are keen to attract a darts team Karen Cooper said: “Although The Queens Head was struggling and rundown it still had a special feel when we walked in "Residents had been worried about the pub’s future "We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had and have made fast friends We’ve already seen former regulars returning "The investment is just what’s needed to change perceptions more widely "We’ve been told The Queens Head was once the best pub in Wednesbury We want to take it back to its glory days and make it an asset to the area as a friendly local with something for everyone Star Pubs’ investment manager Lee Dishington said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with Karen and Michael to give The Queens Head the investment and support it needs to thrive for the long term "They have an excellent track record in hospitality and have done a brilliant job with their other Star pub – The Plough at Oldbury "The garden transformation will make it a destination for friends and families in warmer weather "We’ll be working flat out to get it ready in time for Easter.” The warmth and generosity of the West Midlands public shows no bounds - and a Wednesbury pensioner who will turn 102 on Monday is testament to that The Express & Star put out a call to make sure  Lillian 'Lil' Hollinshead got 102 cards for the big day and she has nearly trebled that with 300 so far and counting They have flooded in to Dovedale Court Care Home where she lives since the appeal was made on Tuesday and continue to do so Lil has also received plenty of visits including from Wednesbury MP Antonia Bance and West Midlands Fire Service who dropped in on Friday along with colleagues from the police an adorable two-and-a-half year old Labrador came in along with community officers from the Wednesbury LPU and they added to the cards and best wishes Lil has been taken to Dudley Zoo and on a tour of childhood haunts in the Black Country in Wednesbury including her childhood home in Franchise Street and where she used to work in the town making gloves And this is all before the actual day when she passes 102 Merialeen Namsgiri the deputy manager at Dovedale Court said Lili and everyone at the home had been overwhelmed by the cards and best wishes and she wanted to thank them all to the 300 cards she has received and all the messages from organisations in the community "On the day there will be a full party for her with residents from Waterside Care Home a cake from Heavenly Bakes and balloons from Daisy B "Angie Lloyd and Yvonne Cooper will give their services for free in entertaining everyone and we are all looking forward to the big day no more than Lil who is a real character and loves nothing more than talking to her friends over a cup of tea." There is still time to send a card - the address is F.A.O A 75-year-old man found rough sleeping in a West Midlands bus station is now back in a furnished home thanks to the help of staff and the local community Jeff Adams found himself homeless after a fire gutted his Wednesbury flat and all his belongings apart from the clothes he was wearing He admits he would have been dead by now if not for the help of bus station supervisor Sue Tycer and the local community who rallied round to help It was after deciding the temporary accommodation offered in central Birmingham was too far away that Jeff opted instead to sleep on the bus station’s hard metal benches who works for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) during her morning round of the bus station – her offers of help were initially rebuffed and he would wander off saying he was getting the keys to his flat a 75-year-old man sleeping on those cold metal seats But he’s a proud man and wanted to stay local,” Sue said Over several days Sue kept calling agencies the council and rough sleeper organisation Streetlink The housing officer visited the bus station a few times a day until they were able to speak to Jeff – and eventually Sandwell Councill found him a place at a comfortable local hotel closer to home Getting the keys to return to his repaired flat should have been the end – but all his belongings had been ruined in the fire – meaning his home was an empty shell “He had lost everything and his flat had nothing in it yet nothing to sit on and nothing to sleep on,” Sue added Sue posted an appeal for Jeff on the Wednesbury People Facebook community page she runs and the donations came flooding in from its 13,000 followers The people of Wednesbury just blew me away.” She describes Jeff as a character and says she has seen a different side to him Asked about what it was like sleeping rough Jeff said: “It was horrible You can’t believe how grateful I am to Sue and all those people who gave me something TfWM is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA said: “Sue’s kindness and determination to help Jeff find a safe place to live is a remarkable example of care and compassion along with the way the Wednesbury community rallied behind her appeal with donations reflect the incredible warmth and generosity that define our region and her actions remind us of the difference one person can make “Our frontline bus station staff always go above and beyond to help passengers and play a vital role in ensuring people can travel safely around the region.” Receive email alerts when we post new articles subscribe today and be in the know at all times © West Midlands Combined Authority 2025 Housing and Communities at Sandwell Council is continuing to move forward with its programme of new build social housing in response to the increasing demand within the borough has been designed by the council’s Urban Design and Building Services team and follows a successful assisted living scheme at Oxford Road West Bromwich Funding has been provided by Sandwell MBC and Homes England The development is located on a site previously containing a high-rise block and maisonettes which were demolished in 2004 The site has since suffered from anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping Ground levels across the site varied considerably and presented some difficult challenges resulting in major ground retention works and a surface water attenuation scheme The development consists of a mixture of forty six 2 3 and 4 bedroomed houses and four 2 bedroomed flats and Urban Design has created an attractive modern housing layout within a landscaped area which provides secure and desirable social housing accommodation The dwellings have been designed on a lifetime home basis which will cater for the needs of the tenants throughout their occupancy The houses have now been completed and handed over A Wednesbury care home is hoping to deliver more than 102 cards to one of its residents on her birthday - and has appealed for the public's help to make it happen Dovedale Court Care Home resident Lilian Hollinshead Born in Wolverhampton, Lilian used to work for Sir Alfred Allen at a factory in Wednesbury that made tiny gloves She likes to spend her time going to church as well as having a cup of tea and a catch-up with friends Staff at the Holyhead Road care home are helping make Lilian’s birthday wishes come true by taking her to visit her childhood home in Franchise Street, Wednesbury, where she used to live growing up and has fond memories, as well as taking her to Dudley Zoo to pet animals they have asked people to send a birthday card to Lilian with the hopes of giving her "at least" 102 said: “From everyone here at Dovedale Court we would like to wish Lilian a fantastic 102nd birthday We look forward to celebrating Lilian’s birthday with her we’re rallying together to get Lilian at least 102 birthday cards – one for every year of her incredible life we want to fill her day with lots of love and laughter reading the well wishes and messages from others in the local community.” When asked the secret to a long and happy life Lilian - who is hoping for a new handbag for her birthday - said: "Taking care of yourself and help those who can’t help themselves.” Any cards people wish to send should be addressed: F.A.O A road has been closed in Wednesbury due to a police incident resulting in buses being diverted in the town Police response teams are searching a Wednesbury street after resident s reported hearing gunshots Hydes Road is blocked between the junction of Paul's Street Hackwood Road and Chestnut Road near The Croft public house in the Mesty Croft area of the town Officers initially arrived in the area shortly after 10pm last night (Wednesday February 5) following reports of an undisclosed incident in the street residents in the area told the Express & Star gunshots were heard said: "My other half heard a gunshot and so did a woman who lives in Hydes Road We've got a drone camera and we put it in the air to see what was happening "The police cordoned off the road at about 11.15pm "My partner went down to speak to the officers who said there'd been an incident We could see a white car with some damage and broken glass near it near the corner with Chestnut Road said: " I noticed police arriving outside my house from about 10.30 last night We saw flashing lights and heard sirens from police cars and the road was taped off We've never seen anything like it around here and we've lived here for seven years." West Midlands Police closed Hydes Road near the town Centre shortly after 6.30am.National Express West Midlands said the number 47 buses have been diverted away from the area The operator posted on social media platform X: "Due to an Emergency service lead incident at Hydes Road Wednesbury 47 is on diversion  Both directions via: Woden Road South and Bridge Street." "We apologise for any disruption to your journey."  Traffic monitoring website Inrix said the incident in the Paul Street and Chestnut Road vicinity stating: "Hydes Road in both directions closed due to a police incident from Paul Street to Chestnut Road In a statement West Midlands Police said: "We're investigating following reports of disorder in Hyde Road It's understood there was fighting involving the occupants of two cars who then fled the area at around 10.15pm "At this stage no-one is known to have been injured We're doing house-to-house enquiries and reviewing CCTV possibilities as we seek to establish exactly what happened." Witnesses or anyone with information should contact the forces via its Live Chat webpage or telephone 101 quoting the reference 20/136365/25 Hundreds of customers were evacuated from IKEA after an incident which the firm has described as a 'safety concern' next to the Gallagher Shopping Park by junction nine of the M6 was cleared of all staff and customers at around 2.15pm on Tuesday (March 11) Several police vehicles  attended the site and new customers were stopped from entering the shop's car park  IKEA has confirmed the evacuation was to allow it to investigate a 'safety concern' The firm would not elaborate on the nature of the concern In a statement, a spokesman for IKEA said: "The safety of our customers and co-workers is always the highest priority for IKEA "We can confirm that all customers and co-workers exited our Birmingham store at 2.15pm on Tuesday to allow us to investigate a safety concern We apologise for the inconvenience caused." A West Midlands Police statement said: "We were called to Ikea in Wednesbury at around 1.52pm following a report of a suspicious item "The store was evacuated while the building was searched and has since re-opened." The elected mayor for the West Midlands has called for the Government to step in and cut through red tape which is stifling house-building in the Black Country Richard Parker highlighted the a proposed Friar Park urban village in Wednesbury where development has been stalled by delays in granting permits from the Environment Agency The former Severn Trent treatment site was bought by the West Midlands Combined Authority in 2019 But progress has been delayed by strict Environment Agency regulations Mr Parker says ‘fail to accommodate practical solutions’ for land remediation Miss Bance said she had written to the minister responsible to ask for help in unblocking the development The problem stems from the Environment Agency’s requirement that waste material on the site must meet specific conditions before being reused - conditions that Mr Parker said he had 'fruitful' conversations with the Environment Agency which had resulted in an agreement with the regulator meaning a developer could be appointed by the summer He said it was just one example of many from across the region and the country/ "I’ve recently met with the Environment Agency who have agreed to move quickly towards a resolution to unlock the development," he added "Previous conversations have failed to accommodate practical solutions We can’t be spending so much time unblocking unnecessary barriers “We have thousands of families in the West Midlands desperate for a home and yet unnecessary bureaucracy is holding up a major housing development that could provide 630 homes for local people." Miss Bance said there were thousands of people on council waiting lists and far too many families were living in temporary accommodation "These homes will be for local people to rent or to buy and we need them as soon as possible," she said "We need the Environment Agency to work with us to redevelop this disused land I’ve written to the Minister responsible to help us sort out this delay.” A spokeswoman from the Environment Agency said: “We have identified the redevelopment of Friar Park as a priority and have provided extensive advice and guidance to help the developer submit the necessary waste recovery plan and permit application  “We are reviewing our regulatory approach to see what changes we can make in the short term such as updating our guidance and how we apply it.” Last week's (Thursday 12 December) Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership revealed the progess made on what is an incredibly ambitious programme with more to follow in the coming year “A significant amount of the Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership programme will be delivered by March 2025 This includes our community safety project several green spaces projects and most of the public realm and urban greening work We have also launched a new masterplan for Wednesbury town centre “This is a large-scale programme with an extremely ambitious 18-month timeline to deliver on £20m investment Other government funded programmes usually have a much longer window to deliver the scheme I am pleased that the Council has been able to put arrangements in place so that we can continue to deliver the programme next year.  Board Chair of the Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Footage taken from a Wednesbury street shows police responding to residents reports of hearing gunshots in the area The video, which was recorded by Express & Star photographer Tim Sturgess, shows response teams searching Hydes Road this morning after it was cordoned off by police The road near the town centre was closed shortly after 6.30am West Midlands Police said officers went to the area to deal with reports of fighting involving the occupants of two cars who then fled the scene Officers had initially arrived in the Mesty Croft area of the town shortly after 10pm last night (Wednesday National Express West Midlands said the number 47 buses have been diverted away from the area Residents in the area told the Express & Star gunshots were heard Home Events Find a team Find a person Find a church Find a job Wednesbury welcomed The Revd Canon Ben Whitmore this Sunday 12 January as Interim Minister to St Bartholomew’s St Luke’s and St Paul’s Wednesbury following a period of retirements and departures which had left the churches without a minister.  The retirement of the Rural Dean of Wednesbury The Revd Jeremy Sylvester who provided some ministry in the churches Canon Whitmore is also the new Rural Dean.  Canon Whitmore comes with a track record as an interim minister helping churches to find a way forward after difficult times identifying their strengths and focussing on creatively fashioning a new future He is also skilled at bringing in resources from nearby and in making the best use of what is available locally His appointment is intended to bring the churches to a point where they are ready to recruit their own permanent ministers.  Canon Whitmore is expected to be there for up to a year he will offer a period of support and stability to the churches and address questions with them that should prepare them for the future His aim will be to maintain and enhance where possible the churches’ ability to serve their communities and offer worship He will act as a focal point for the congregations of all three churches.  His welcome at St Bartholomew’s follows his licensing as Canon Missioner at Lichfield Cathedral on Friday 10th January This new role will see him offered as an interim minister over time in places where such an arrangement can provide nurture and support to churches such as where there is a long vacancy or where there have been other disruptions to ministry.  Revd Canon Ben Whitmore said: “I am excited to be going to Wednesbury I have already begun to get to know people and find them to have tremendous heart and optimism for the future It is my hope to harness the goodwill and energy of people and together service the community around us We aim to reach the point where we are ready again to invite new people through our doors to find fresh hope for their lives and for the community I also hope that the church hall will soon be able to offer itself as community venue once more.”  said: “It is heartening to see Ben already at work in creating relationships and bringing people together with their eyes on the future and focussing outwards on serving and loving the people of Wednesbury.”  Bishop of Wolverhampton who was also present on Sunday said: “It has been a difficult period but here are people who have come out of that with the quiet confidence in the future that is born of deep faith That is a great foundation on which to rebuild When we co-operate together in fresh endeavours we find the truth that what seems humanly impossible is possible with God’s help.”  The role is a result of a collaborative brief for Canon Ben Whitmore's appointment as Canon Missioner for Lichfield Diocese Cookies Policy | Privacy Notice   Three bus services have been diverted following a crash in Wednesbury National Express West Midlands has warned that services 34, 37 and 39, from Walsall only will be diverted following a crash that has blocked the road The incident happened on Darlaston Road, Wednesbury and the road was partially blocked to traffic The services will now be diverted via Prescott Road the transport group said: "Darlaston Road Wednesbury partially blocked by a collision 34 37 and 39 diverted from Walsall only via Bescott Road "We apologise for any inconvenience caused."  Emergency services have been approached for more information An illegal used car dealership could be allowed to stay despite the council ruling it is “inappropriate” and bad for neighbours West Midlands Cars in Franchise Street, Wednesbury opened without planning permission from at least 2022 and has been the subject of several complaints due to the site being overcrowded with cars which had overspilled onto residential streets and a pub’s old car park The local authority’s planners rejected a move to formalise the arrangement last year but the decision could be reversed after an appeal was lodged A planning application by Gul Nawaz of West Midlands Cars to use the site for car storage and sales was rejected in June 2023 by Sandwell Council which said it was “inappropriate” and “to the detriment of residents.” The plot has used for car sales without planning permission from 2022 The site had been used for the sale and storage of cars in 2017 but had ceased a year later following enforcement action by the council In a report outlining its most recent decision Sandwell Council said: “The car sales use and associated comings and goings is inappropriate in the locality and has a detrimental impact on the amenity of an otherwise predominantly residential area “The retention of the car sales use would impact on the highway network due to visitors to the site and manoeuvring of vehicles.” The council’s planners said the proposed work should “function well and add to the overall quality of the area” which the used car dealership did not Sandwell Council said it visited the site 18 months ago and found too many cars stored on the site and in the street as well as on the neighbouring pub car park for the former Forge Tavern “The site layout was not representative of the layout plans submitted with the application,” the council said “There were far more vehicles stored on site A small car transporter – for one vehicle – was parked on street in front of the site It appeared that the site was not sufficient in size for the scale of the operation that was taking place there “The applicants stated that the vehicles parked on the pub car park were not theirs but were somehow able to confirm that they would be moved Highways completed another site visit in November 2023 presumably as the application was still to be determined the business has begun operating as per the previous levels this has been noted when passing the site while completing other site visits around the borough.” The council said it had received “several” complaints about cars parked on the street and Franchise Street has been visited by several council departments as well as West Midlands Police The council visited again in November last year to find the former pub’s car park full with untaxed and ‘off the road’ SORN cars and several parked on pavements and on the street “On-street parking at these levels causes congestion as two-way vehicle movements cannot be maintained and obscures visibility for drivers leaving Beebee Road and Cook Street,” the council added when rejecting the application in 2023 “Many properties on Franchise Street are Victorian terraced properties so residents rely on on-street parking this business has a severe impact on residential amenity.” Nearly decade-old plans to turn the neighbouring former Forge Tavern into an eight-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) were revived at the start of the year The local authority’s planners have turned down several moves to bring the old pub back to life in the last eight years including two moves to open an Islamic tuition centre and two seperate bids for a new community centre Sandwell Council rejected those plans in 2018 and again in 2021 over concerns that poor public transport links and its ‘out-of-town-centre’ location could cause “severe” parking problems in the surrounding residential streets An earlier plan to convert the former watering hole into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) was approved by the council in 2017 – but the work was never carried out and has now been resubmitted after the three-year planning permission lapsed A dilapidated shop in Wednesbury town centre will re-open alongside a new house of multiple occupation after plans were backed by councillors The former Rajpoot Discount Warehouse in Market Place, Wednesbury, would be extended, tidied up and re-opened as an 11-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) after plans by Shokat Ali were backed by Sandwell Council’s planning application A new shopfront would also be installed with the ground floor retail unit remaining The applicant Shokat Ali, owner of Orchard Coffee Lounge and Amigos Pizza in Wednesbury town centre said he had owned an HMO above the coffee shop for the last seven years 'without any issues' and brushed off calls for the application to be rejected by neighbours he told councillors: “I appreciate that HMO is a dirty word these days because they are springing up everywhere described as a ‘prominent’ eyesore in Wednesbury town centre in the application has become a mess with the building’s rear courtyard overgrown and covered in bricks Mr Ali said he did not understand objections saying that the HMO would ‘ruin the character’ of the already dilapidated building – saying his planned improvements were far ahead of the current state of the former shop “Is it better now or will it be better when I have finished with it?” he asked “I’ve tried my very best to get better things for Wednesbury and this building is in a very bad place If you can’t open an HMO in the town centre The objections said the planned HMO would cause overlooking and result in a loss of privacy for neighbours and a loss of light for properties in Walsall Street Objectors also said the HMO did not have enough parking spaces would “affect the character” of Wednesbury’s Market Place and potentially result in an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour who represents the Wednesbury South ward and sits on the planning committee has supported the work saying it would add to the council’s improvement work in the town In a report published ahead of the meeting the authority’s planners had recommended the application be approved saying a town centre was an appropriate location for a new HMO “The property has been vacant for some time and is in a general state of disrepair both internally and externally,” the report said “The new shop front and conversion to HMO would bring a vacant property back into use and uplift its external appearance The retail use would also contribute to the economy of the town centre “The proposed HMO use is appropriate to the town centre location and bedroom sizes as well as the shared kitchen and dining room Highways officers at Sandwell Council said the proposed HMO would be in a central location with 'excellent' links to public transport and car parks and raised no objections A statement included with the application said: “The application proposal would result in an improved standard of accommodation for future occupiers and an acceptable impact on the occupiers of neighbouring properties “The level of accommodation now proposed would be appropriate for the size and scale of 16 Market Place and would be compatible and consistent with many other recent permissions that have been granted in the immediate locality “The property is located in a highly sustainable location within an established town centre location.” We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also 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You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports Heidi Alexander is in the West Midlands today (6 February 2025) to put spades in the ground on the extension of the West Midlands Metro tram network in the Black Country Funded through the government’s £1.05 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for the West Midlands the project will see drastically improved connections for currently underserved communities this investment will mean trams will run from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill providing faster and more reliable transport connections between Dudley and Brierley Hill to the city centre and wider West Midlands and so to jobs and opportunities Providing first time light rail connection for many local residents passengers will benefit from journey time savings of up to 30% compared to taking the bus and with greater reliability at peak times running from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre is already well underway and due to open to passengers in autumn of this year Residents in and around the Black Country have been chronically underserved by public transport limiting access to jobs and opportunities and stunting economic growth We’re turning the tide on poor transport connections in the West Midlands and delivering a transport system that people can rely on raising living standards across the region The extension of the West Midlands Metro will be transformational and I am delighted to officially mark the start of work today as this government gets on with supporting local jobs and business while empowering local leaders to deliver our Plan for Change the extension will provide a major boost to local businesses as the extension is set to pass through Cinder Bank Pedmore Road and the Waterfront business park The Transport Secretary is meeting with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and being given a tour of Parkhead Viaduct in Dudley – an iconic 19 century Brunel structure which will come back into use as part of the Metro route Good transport links are essential – helping people get to school Extending the metro further into the Black Country opens up routes for job opportunities reliable journeys for everyone across the West Midlands Now that I have secured the funding from government and we’ve got the approvals needed the work can start to make this long-awaited project a reality The restoration of this viaduct shows how we can protect our region’s industrial heritage while developing modern infrastructure and soon it will take those same opportunities into Dudley and Merry Hill Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Flats and shops would replace a town centre ‘eyesore’ under new plans The scheme, which includes 26 flats and four shops, would be built in Upper High Street, Wednesbury according to a planning application submitted to Sandwell Council. next to the iconic Teddy Gray’s sweet shop was home to a row of shops before they were demolished years ago due to being in an “extremely poor state of repair.” A similar plan to build 36 flats and four shops in a seven-storey building was put forward in 2023 but later withdrawn to “address concerns raised by the council’s design team” the latest application said The height of the building facing the busy High Bullen has been reduced by two storeys A statement included with the application by SAP Investments said: “The application site was occupied by a row of retail shop units with residential flats over these shops closed as the general town centre fell into a decline One by one the derelict buildings fell into disrepair and became unsafe “Drug abuse was practiced in these derelict buildings The individual owners therefore demolished the properties to remove the danger to health and safety generally and with the added incentive that it may remove the shelter for those practicing drug abuse “Development of this particular site is considered to provide an urgent [and] long overdue improvement to the location.” the new shops and flats would mark another improvement in Wednesbury town centre Sandwell Council was awarded more than £20m for Wednesbury in government levelling up money in 2023 benches and bins in the town centre as well as new CCTV A ‘masterplan’ produced by the council and revealed last year showed ambitions for a box park-style venue with shipping containers for independent businesses could re-open or be converted into an entertainment complex The plans also include empty spaces in High Bullen Union Street and Victoria Street as potential sites for more than 100 new apartments A plan to convert an empty pub into an HMO has been given the green light by councillors Nearly decade-old plans to turn the former Forge Tavern in Wednesbury into an eight-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) were revived at the start of the year after moves to turn the old watering hole into an Islamic tuition centre were rejected by Sandwell Council. The local authority’s planners have turned down several moves to bring the old pub back to life in the last eight years including two moves to open the tuition centre and two separate bids for a new community centre Sandwell Council’s planning committee approved the conversion for a second time in eight years at a meeting in Oldbury on April 2 The council said the application received four objections over concerns about parking and potential antisocial behaviour The approved plans do not include converting the ground floor – which includes the former pub’s bar – which has been “reserved for future use” and which the council says would require a separate planning application to convert which was deemed acceptable by the council converting the building would in fact “uplift the area” as the empty site had been a “constant issue.” The efforts to breathe new life into the boarded-up pub have included two separate applications to convert the building into an Islamic tuition centre More plans to convert the pub into a community centre then came forward but were rejected in 2022 and 2024 A production known as 'Sandwell's Biggest Pantomime' is returning to Wednesbury Town Hall for the fourth consecutive year next week Showtime Community Productions CIO are performing Cinderella from January 15-18 Last year they performed Jack and the Beanstalk to enthusiastic audiences and are hoping for the same this time around It is the fourth time the group will have performed a pantomime at the town hall and secretary of Showtime Productions Matt Flavin said their aim was to make the magic of theatre accessible to all He said: "As a community group we are a team of volunteers who provide events  to bring happiness and joy everything we do is to benefit the community and this year we are providing two free school performances to allow those within the area who attend them and their families  to see live theatre where they may not get an opportunity to do so otherwise "The cast and crew have worked really hard to make this show the best it can be and all we are missing now is an audience."  Thursday and Friday and two performances on Saturday  Tickets are available via www.ticketsource.co.uk/showtimewednesbury priced at £7.50 but some performances have limited availability so it is advised to book online wherever possible to avoid disappointment.' Shaquile Blake has been jailed after travelling to Dubai shortly after the shooting at a club in Wednesbury as police continue hunt for a man from Walsall A gunman has been jailed for more than 30 years over a shooting inside a Wednesbury club Shaquille Blake fired a gun at a man in the foyer of MJs Bar Blake then kicked his target in the face before he was ushered out of the premises and fled the area The victim presented at hospital with abdominal and arm injuries and West Midlands Police was alerted to the shooting for the first time Officers quickly identified the venue as the location and Blake as a prime suspect for the incident which happened at just before 4am on 13 August 2023 He fled to Dubai shortly after the shooting but he was arrested during a traffic stop in Ladywood in Birmingham almost a year later was convicted of attempted murder and possession of a firearm following a trial He was jailed for 34 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday (February 13). However the police probe into the shooting continues as officers are searching for another suspect from Walsall - see full details below The conviction was secured following an investigation by WMP Major Crime Unit West Midlands Police added that the investigation is far from over The force is also looking to trace Ricardo Mendez who is also wanted in connection with the incident The 33-year-old from Walsall is believed to have left the country shortly after the shooting A spokesperson for WMP said: "We're working with various agencies to try and locate him and we're keen to hear from anyone with information which could help us." You can contact police via Live Chat on our website contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas said: "Blake not only carried a gun but was fully prepared to fire the weapon There's no doubt on another day this could have had really tragic consequences "We have a team of highly-skilled detectives who worked tirelessly to make sure he was convicted of this crime The sentence shows just how serious offences involving guns are taken and when caught you face a long time behind bars." the number of shootings in the West Midlands fell from 126 to 92 A spokesperson for WMP added: “We’re running Op Target to take weapons off the streets and convict those involved.” Five men from Sandwell are due to appear in court today after being charged with a number of drug offences Hakeem Ali, Waqas Hussain, Asa Mcintosh and Bradley Whitmore, all from Wednesbury, and Quarnay Lee-Taylor from West Bromwich were arrested by County Lines Taskforce officers after a series of warrants were executed earlier this week West Midlands Police said the five men were remanded in custody to appear at Walsall Magistrates Court today (January 24) aged 19 all from Wednesbury have been charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs aged 23 from West Bromwich has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs and possession with intent to supply drugs aged 23 also from Wednesbury has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply drugs "All five men have been remanded in custody to appear at Walsall Magistrates Court this morning (24 Jan) officers from our County Lines Taskforce executed a series of warrants in Wednesbury and West Bromwich." A plan to build homes next to a Wednesbury pub has been approved The move will see two three-bed homes built on “redundant” overgrown land next to the Croft pub on the corner of Hydes Road and Chestnut Road in Wednesbury A small part of the pub’s car park would be used to make way for the new homes at a loss of three spaces The pub’s remaining 32-space car park would then be reconfigured as part of the work for the semi-detached homes The planned layout for the two homes and parking spaces was redrawn after the application was submitted in August Red Oak Taverns bought the Wednesbury pub from Everards last year The planning application said the pub would not be affected by the new homes and would improve the look of the street A statement included with the application said: “The Croft public house is a tenanted pub which will remain fully operational during and after the erection of the proposed dwellings “The Croft and its beer garden will be retained as existing while minor reconfigurations to its car park are proposed is currently redundant and has not been utilised for the pub business “The application therefore seeks to utilise and redevelop this parcel of redundant land ensuring the pub does not have to spend money on its upkeep and that capital receipt raised from the sale of the land can be reinvested into the pub business.” Click below to discover some of the achievements we are proud of A person has been taken into custody after police found a large amount of Class A drugs in a town centre property Posting on its X account, formerly Twitter, police said it conducted a S23 MDA search warrant on an address in Wednesbury town centre after acting on several intelligence reports During the search, a large amount of class A drugs were found and one person is now in custody said: "Wednesbury Team 1 have conducted a S23 MDA Search Warrant on an address in Wednesbury Town Centre after acting on several intelligence reports "Great result for the team! Please continue to report any suspicious activity to us via 101 or email us @wednesburytown@westmidlands.police.uk." A total of 105 new homes will be built in Wednesbury after a deal to purchase a former college campus was completed Persimmon Homes was granted full planning permission in October for the 12 acre plot on the site of the former Phoenix Collegiate college which moved out to alternative facilities around eight years ago The scheme approved by Sandwell Council will also see a proportion of properties to be offered as shared ownership, private rent and part of the First Homes scheme a total of £300,000 is also set to be made available to improve facilities at the Hydes Road playing fields in Wednesbury and developers say a new school will be provided using the proceeds of the land sale Earlier outline proposals for 84 homes on the site were granted in early 2022, but Persimmon returned with an application for a larger 105 home scheme in 2023 which they said represented a more efficient use of the site. The updated proposals were approved this year by Sandwell Council's planners The site sits adjacent to the proposed Friar Park Urban Village development outlined by Sandwell Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority which is intended to provide a further 630 homes as part of a separate scheme Neil Williams, Regional Managing Director at Persimmon Homes Central said: “We’re delighted to have completed the purchase of land at Phoenix Collegiate Not only will this development deliver new homes but it will also create local jobs as part of the construction and bring new life to this area of Wednesbury.” Land and Planning Manager at Persimmon Homes Central added: “We’re committed to creating vibrant successful communities and supporting more local families in getting their dream homes We’ll continue to work in partnership with Sandwell Council and other stakeholders to ensure our development delivers real benefits for the whole community.” Police are asking for help after a man in his 60s was left with a broken jaw following a disorder West Midlands Police wants to speak to him after another man sustained a broken jaw in the early hours of September 1 when confronted by a group in Market Place who was with the man also suffered a cracked rib A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We want to speak to this man after another man sustained a broken jaw following disorder in Wednesbury was confronted by a group in Market Place during the early hours of 1 September and assaulted." Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with officers asking anyone with information to get in touch via their 101 number or alternatively via the Live Chat service on their website quoting log number 20/806774/24 A plan to demolish a pub for new flats and a shop will be decided by councillors after a number of objections from neighbours Sandwell Council approved plans to demolish the former Friar Park Inn in Wednesbury more than two years ago and after several complaints over the state of the site a planning application was put forward last summer Four objections were raised by neighbours saying the work would lead to a loss of privacy The application will be decided by Sandwell Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday (February 19) The local authority’s planning officers have recommended the plan should be approved A report outlining the recommendation said: “The area is a mixture of retail and residential properties and the scheme provides further retail and residential accommodation into the area without compromising existing private residential amenity.” Permission was granted to demolish the empty pub in December 2022 The council said several complaints had been made regarding the state of the site which led to the application to demolish the pub the pub has still not been demolished which has led to more complaints The former Friar Park Inn in Crankhall Lane would be demolished and replaced with 14 new flats and a shop under plans by developer SEP Properties The three-storey building includes space for a ground floor shop and 35 parking spaces would also be built according to the application submitted to Sandwell Council The pub was sold to SEP Properties for £495,000 in 2022 and the developer put forward plans to demolish the former pub shortly after A statement included with the application said: “An extensive period of design development has resulted in a scheme that will provide high-quality accommodation and retail space providing a reasonable number of new homes for residents in the Friar Park estate.” Plans for the Friar Park ‘urban village’ include a further 600 new homes and improvements to the nearby Millennium Community Centre in Friar Park Road Housing developer Persimmon is also planning to build 105 homes on fields next to the estate’s High Point Academy A man has been arrested after a car which failed to stop for police officers crashed into multiple vehicles in Wednesbury Walsall Road, Wednesbury was closed by police after the crash on Monday afternoon Police said the crash occurred after a car which 'failed to stop for police' collided with a number of other vehicles No-one was seriously injured in the collision but one man was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop and was taken to hospital for assessment.