Concerns over plans for homes at historic pub site

Campaigners say plans for new homes on the site of a historic pub in Brierley Hill should be refused.

Dudley Council has been asked to grant permission for 11 apartments and two semi-detached houses at The Blue Brick pub on the corner of Dudley Road and Wallows Road.

The pub dates back to 1856 but closed in 2022 and plans have been submitted to convert the building into housing however objections have been raised by The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

John Corser, chair of CAMRA’s Dudley and South Staffordshire branch, said: “This public house could still be viable if it is retained and ultimately restored, The Blue Brick has been an important community asset for Brierley Hill over many years and could be again.

“The area has already lost many pub buildings to redevelopment.”

The building is locally listed and developers, Connect Property Acquisitions, say they will retain and restore the existing distinctive blue brick facade and any extensions will be constructed using matching materials.

Since the closure of the pub, the building was being vandalised until it was secured by the current owners to prevent further damage.

Developers now plan to convert and extend the existing building to create eight one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom apartments.

Planners have been asked to also approve the construction of two three-bedroom semi-detached homes on the site in a separate new building.

A statement from architects Michael Edwards Associates in support of the application said: “The use of the building is required to change, however the application seeks to retain and enhance the heritage aesthetic of the site, preserving its focal setting to the local area, preventing any detrimental impact on the setting and context of the Blue Brick Public House.

“The proposal seeks to preserve its intrinsic historic value of the building and its setting.”

Mr Corser from CAMRA added: “The branch does not consider that the building is suitable for a housing development and would prefer to see it kept in its current form for any future attempt to re-open a pub that has many interesting features.”