Former Bank in Oldbury Town Centre to Become Six-Bed HMO

A prominent grade II listed building in Oldbury town centre is poised for transformation after standing empty since 2021. The former Barclays bank, located at the corner of Church Square and Birmingham Street, is the focus of a new planning application by BD Properties submitted to Sandwell Council, proposing its conversion into a six-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) alongside a new shop space.

This three-storey historic building served as a Barclays branch until its closure in 2021, leaving the site largely unused. The proposed redevelopment aims to breathe new life into the structure while respecting its architectural heritage. Key to the plans is the replacement of modern PVC windows with traditional wooden sash windows, restoring the building’s original character.

The HMO will feature six bedrooms sharing communal kitchen and living areas, reflecting a growing trend of town-centre living without dedicated parking spaces. The application highlights that the development “secures a viable and sustainable future for the prominent listed building,” ensuring both its conservation and functional reuse.

Supporting the proposal, a statement notes that the conversion melds with existing approved alterations to neighbouring heritage buildings and conforms to current HMO standards and policies. It also references a precedent set in July 2025 when adjacent offices at 23 Birmingham Street were approved for conversion into residential flats, endorsing the suitability of residential use in this town-centre location.

While acknowledging that the project would cause “less than substantial harm” to the heritage asset, the statement emphasizes that this is outweighed by the significant public benefits. These include reactivating dormant upper floors, preserving the building’s historic features, and promoting sustainable urban living within Oldbury’s core.