New Flats Proposed for Former Rowley Regis Day Centre Site

Plans have been unveiled to transform the site of the former day centre and library in Harvest Road, Rowley Regis, into a new housing development. SWG Construction, in partnership with Sandwell Council, has submitted a proposal to build eight one, three, and four-bedroom flats on the land.

Key Takeaways

Eight new flats, including one, three, and four-bedroom options, are proposed for the former day centre site in Harvest Road, Rowley Regis.
The development aims to address a critical shortage of family-sized flats in the area, with long waiting times for three and four-bedroom properties.
The site previously housed a day centre and a special library service before being demolished.

Addressing Housing Needs

Sandwell Council’s housing officers have highlighted a significant demand for larger family homes. Current figures indicate waiting times of nearly a year for one-bedroom flats for those with non-emergency needs, such as overcrowding. More critically, families seeking three-bedroom flats face waits of over four years, and those needing four-bedroom properties could wait nearly nine years.

The proposed mix of one, three, and four-bedroom flats is intended to directly address this identified shortage and provide much-needed family accommodation.

Site History and Future Development

The former Harvest Road day centre had a varied history, serving as a library for over a decade before its demolition. The council granted permission for the demolition in 2022. Prior to the current flats proposal, the NHS had received approval in 2021 to build eight houses on the same land.

The site is located opposite the Harvest View nursing home, an 80-bed facility that opened in 2022 and integrates health and social care services to aid patient recovery and return home after hospital stays.

SWG Construction and Sandwell Council are also exploring similar housing initiatives in other areas, including a scheme near the new Horseley Road metro stop in Tipton.