A 30-year-old glazing company in Cradley Heath fears it could be forced to close due to plans to build nearly 100 new homes on its current site.
The former F. & L. Smout & Sons site on Woods Lane is set to be demolished to make way for 82 homes and 15 flats, following approval from Sandwell Council’s planning committee on June 10. However, Howells Patent Glazing, which operates from Woods Lane, warns that the development will not only push them out of their longtime location but could also shut down their business entirely.
Speaking on behalf of 79-year-old founder Walter Howells, Tracey Jackson pleaded with councillors to reconsider the plan, highlighting the broader impact on the local economy and skilled workforce.
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“There is nowhere for us to relocate—it’s simply not available,” Jackson explained during the planning meeting. “The council has searched too, and there are no premises that meet our specific needs.”
Since opening in 1997 and moving to Woods Lane in 2008—right next to Cradley Heath railway station—the company has built a strong local presence, employing 19 skilled workers, many with over a decade of experience.
Jackson stressed the challenges in finding a new site: “We have been looking for a considerable time, but the space required is hard to come by and financially unfeasible. The compensation offers don’t come close to covering the cost of moving and setting up elsewhere.”
The company manufactures specialist glazing products which require unique facilities and cannot simply be set up in any industrial location. She added, “If forced to move, we risk losing our talented workforce who may not be able to relocate with us. We want to keep contributing to Sandwell’s economy as we have done for nearly three decades.”
Councillor Connor Horton expressed sympathy with the business but supported the housing development, citing the legal risk of refusal being overturned on appeal. Councillor Luke Cotterill also voiced unease, stating, “Shutting down a manufacturing business in the Black Country doesn’t feel right.”
Liberty Developments, the applicant, noted that many buildings on the site are vacant and in disrepair. Sandwell Council’s planning officers recommended approval, emphasizing the scheme’s inclusion of affordable housing and the design quality, which they believe balances the loss of heritage assets and local conservation land.
While the need for new housing is acknowledged, the concerns regarding the survival of a long-standing local business with skilled jobs emphasize the complexities involved in balancing development and economic sustainability in Sandwell.