Decision due on Smethwick Police Station affordable flats plan

A vacant former police station could be converted to residential apartments, as Sandwell Council considers adding more than 50 affordable homes to the borough by working with a private-sector developer.

The former Smethwick Police Station on Piddock Road closed in 2024, and was put up for sale by West Midlands Police in September last year.

Now, the early 20th century former Police headquarters could be converted to up to 31 affordable-rent apartments, part of plans by Cornerstone Housing to develop two sites on behalf of the local authority.

If plans are approved at a cabinet meeting due to be held this week, Cornerstone will purchase the site along with Green Leeves Garden Centre in Blackheath, before building out the schemes and selling them to the council.

According to a report due to go before the cabinet, Cornerstone Housing have agreed terms for the purchase of the former Smethwick Police Station, while the owners of the garden centre have also made an “informal agreement” with the firm.

Should the decision be rubber stamped on Wednesday, 11 March, a planning application for both schemes would be submitted before the summer.

“The council continues to face significant demand for affordable housing, with pressure on waiting lists and demand for 1‑ and 2‑bed homes,” said the report.

“These schemes could deliver approximately 50 homes for affordable rent as part of the Council’s wider priority to provide affordable, high-quality housing to contribute to addressing local housing need and the number of people on the waiting list for a council home.”

A decision will be made by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 11 March.