Plans to knock down a vacant Black Country pub and replace it with a new retail outlet have been formally rejected by local authority planners.
Council Blocks Demolition for Retail
Sandwell Council has turned down an application from Sham Singh which sought permission to demolish the former Crown Inn on Station Road in Old Hill. The proposal aimed to construct a single-storey shop measuring 338 square metres, along with a car park for ten vehicles.
In its decision, the council made clear that the site is earmarked for other strategic purposes. A report from planning officers stated the development would undermine allocations for housing and employment land within the borough. It highlighted the loss of much-needed available land for such uses, while noting there is no recognised need for additional retail provision in the area.
Land Reserved for Long-Term Strategic Use
The council confirmed its intention to eventually use the land for new housing or employment. Specifically, land in Station Road and Waterfall Lane has been identified as a potential site for more than 190 homes in the future.
However, with the land currently under multiple ownerships and many owners looking to redevelop or unwilling to sell, the authority does not expect solid plans to materialise for at least the next 15 years. The site is also expected to be included for employment use in the council's updated development plans.
Applicant's Case and Council's Rebuttal
A statement submitted with the application argued that the proposed shop would bring a long-term vacant and derelict brownfield site back into beneficial use. It claimed the existing building is an eyesore, a location for vandalism, and has a negative impact on the local area. The applicant also suggested the shop would allow nearby residents to access a retail facility on foot, reducing car dependency.
The council's planners rejected these arguments, finding the application lacking. Their report concluded: “Insufficient information was submitted with the application to meet the required sequential and impact tests and it has not been adequately evidenced that the proposal could not be located in a centre or edge of centre site and that the development would not have a significant adverse impact on existing provision.”
The decision, dated for attention on 1 December 2025, means the empty Crown Inn pub will remain standing for the foreseeable future, pending any new proposals that align with the council's long-term vision for housing and job creation in Sandwell.
