Former Dudley sex shop to become church

A former shop and warehouse specialising in adult products is to become a church after Dudley Council approved a change of use.

The new centre, on Flood Street Dudley, sold sex toys and pornography before the Covid lockdown but will now be home to a cafe, foodbank, youth room, vestry and worship room with capacity for 156 people.

In a report, council officers said: “The applicant advises that the activities during the week will consist of bible studies and counselling facilities after 7pm two to three times per week, accommodating between 20 to 50 people. 

“Sundays in the morning will accommodate between 50 and 100 people.”

Dudley Council planners have also approved an application to add 32 new rooms to the Brewers Fayre hotel in Stourbridge.

Part of the hotel would be demolished during the project to create a total of 112 rooms at the Birmingham Road hotel.

Planning officers recommended approval of the scheme which includes a condition the developers pay £2,500 for biodiversity enhancement.

A former hotel in Tipton has been granted permission for a change of use to a residential family assessment centre.

Dudley Council has approved an application to convert the guest house on Sedgey Road to provide accommodation to families while parents are assessed to establish if they are able to care for their children.

The property will house up to six families and although staff will not live at the premises they will be working in shifts to be on site around the clock.

A former community centre and day nursery in Coseley is to be converted into seven new apartments after Dudley Council granted permission for the scheme.

Changes to The Rainbows Centre on Rainbow Street were approved after planners concluded conversion would have no adverse effects on the character of the area or nearby residents and the development would contribute to housing stock.

Plans to create six new apartments at a former Nat West bank on Castle Street in Dudley town centre have been approved.

The four-story building dates back to the 1930s but is not listed but has been defined as making a ‘high positive contribution’ to the town’s landscape.

In a report, Dudley Council planning officers said: “Reuse of this heritage asset to provide apartments would secure the long term use of the building contributing positively to the character and appearance of the Dudley Conservation Area.”