Sandwell Council has submitted a planning application seeking permission to demolish the former Cradley Heath Community Centre, located on Reddal Hill Road, along with adjacent lock-up garages. The proposal is to clear the site for the development of approximately 13 new homes.
The community centre was closed in August 2022 after councillors concluded it was “surplus to requirements,” despite its significant use by local groups and residents. The facility had served as a hub for various services, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, drugs and alcohol support groups, and the Yemeni Community Association’s English classes.
Moreover, the centre hosted a wide range of activities such as exercise, dance and art classes, a youth club, boxing, martial arts and karate groups, children’s soft play sessions, as well as yoga and Tai Chi classes, making it a well-utilised community resource.
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The closure decision was part of measures taken by the former Labour-run council to manage the building’s costs, which were becoming increasingly burdensome. The centre, originally a primary school converted in the early 1980s, was managed by Sandwell Community Hubs until 2022, after which responsibility reverted to the council.
According to Sandwell Council, the running costs of the building were around £54,000 annually, with repairs estimated at £11,000 per year. Projected maintenance expenses indicate that at least £350,000 would be needed over the next five years, with an additional £150,000 required in the following two decades.
Councillors were advised that the centre’s budget would be depleted within six months if no action was taken. As a result, the council applied earlier this year for £1.3 million in government funding to facilitate the demolition of the building.
This funding, announced in 2024 and administered by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), aims to clear neglected sites such as empty buildings, former car parks, and industrial land to enable new housing developments. Sandwell Council and the WMCA identified the former community centre site as the “most suitable candidate” for this funding.