A move to demolish a former golf clubhouse in Oldbury as part of plans to build a new 190-home estate, primary school and park have been approved.
Sandwell Council has approved the latest part of a huge multi-million-pound plan to build 190 homes on the former Brandhall golf course which will see the club’s old clubhouse demolished.
The Black Country local authority said the now boarded-up building in Heron Road, which closed in 2020, had become a “hotspot” for antisocial behaviour and its demolition was an “important first step in bringing the new park masterplan to life.”
The clubhouse is expected to be demolished by the end of October according to Sandwell Council’s planning application.
A report from the council last November said the clubhouse needed to be demolished as an “urgent priority” to cut the council’s maintenance and security bill and reduce the risk of further vandalism.
The cost of demolishing the clubhouse was said to be £187,000.
The clubhouse has remained empty since closing in 2020 but generates ongoing security costs for the council.
The building has continued to deteriorate, was vandalised last summer and has remained a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.
A planning application to build 190 homes on the land was eventually approved by Sandwell Council in 2023 despite receiving more than 200 objections.
The controversial work for the former golf course also includes a replacement Causeway Green Primary School and a 67-acre public park.
Sandwell Council had originally looked to build 550 homes on the golf course but slashed its plans by two-thirds after a backlash from campaigners looking to protect the green space.