A prominent historic building in Dudley, known as Castle Meadows, may soon be converted into a series of apartments pending approval from local council planners.
The Grade II listed building, located on Dibdale Road and formerly called Dibdale House, dates back to the early nineteenth century when it was originally constructed as a private residence. Over the years, it has served various institutional roles, most notably spending approximately 70 years associated with the Staffordshire County Orphanage before later becoming an old people’s home during the mid-to-late twentieth century.
Its most recent function was as Castle Meadows Nursing Home, which ceased operation in 2022 following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission that deemed the care provided as inadequate.
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A report prepared by Aurora Heritage Planning Ltd highlights the building’s historical and architectural significance. It notes that after the care home closed, the building experienced a period of vacancy and unauthorised use. During 2022 and 2023, it was reportedly advertised and utilised as short-term accommodation or a hotel without the necessary planning permissions, prompting Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council to intervene and secure the site.
In early 2024, the building suffered fire damage, believed to have originated at the rear ground floor. This has resulted in substantial internal deterioration, while the exterior, though affected, still retains key architectural features.
Submitted plans propose converting Castle Meadows into 23 apartments comprising one, two, and three-bedroom units. The design aims to maintain the villa-style exterior that contributes to the building’s historic character.
Johnson Design Partnership, supporting the application, emphasises that despite significant fire damage and exposure to the elements, the exterior preserves the principal architectural details. They describe the proposal as a “high-quality, heritage-led scheme” that aligns with the policies outlined in the Dudley Local Plan.
The heritage report concludes that the conversion can proceed without compromising the special architectural and historic interest of the Grade II listed building.
Residents and interested parties can access further details on this and other developments, including planning applications, traffic changes, and licensing matters, via the Public Notices Portal.