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Christian Barnett

Local Democracy Reporter

Local Democracy Reporter for Sandwell

May 8, 2024

Empty former pub in West Bromwich to be turned into flats as plans succeed

West Bromwich|5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Eyesore empty pub hit by fire set to become shops

Rowley Regis|May 2

April 30, 2024

‘I’ve never voted, I don’t see the point!’ - Blackheath voters have their say on upcoming election

Sandwell|Apr 30

April 26, 2024

Flats plan for Sandwell curry house car park

Politics|Apr 26

April 24, 2024

New restaurant asks for late-night licence

Smethwick|Apr 24

April 23, 2024

Fresh homes plan for abandoned Wednesbury factory site approved

Wednesbury|Apr 23

Plans for flats at former Blackheath bank given green light

Sandwell|Apr 23

Historic home gifted to Smethwick by famous brewer to become flats

Stourbridge|Apr 23

April 20, 2024

Work to convert troubled former pub can start after sitting empty for years

Sandwell|Apr 20

Children’s home can remain open after bid to close it down is overruled

Sandwell|Apr 20

Wedding venue plotting ‘urgent’ move to controversial supermarket site

Birmingham|Apr 20

April 17, 2024

Inspectors side with council over “inappropriate” HMO

Business|Apr 17

Services near M6 junction allowed to serve alcohol 24 hours a day after council mix-up

Great Barr|Apr 17

Move to turn former fancy dress shop into flats is approved - 18 months after work was carried out

Rowley Regis|Apr 17

April 14, 2024

Developer bids to overturn rejection of 'harmful' 150-home scheme on green belt land

Property|Apr 14

April 13, 2024

See the full list improvements planned for Wednesbury town centre in £4.5m makeover

Wednesbury|Apr 13

Smethwick mosque expansion plan given green light

Smethwick|Apr 13

April 12, 2024

Restaurant taking over former tearoom in historic park apply for alcohol licence

Smethwick|Apr 12

April 10, 2024

Two sites in Great Bridge could be developed for housing

Three-year row continues after owner admits demolishing most of home without permission

Concerns from officers raised over plans for Tipton flats

April 9, 2024

Sandwell Council 2024 local election candidates revealed - see the full list here

April 8, 2024

New floodlit pitch approved for Tipton park as elderly neighbours voice concerns

April 7, 2024

Sandwell Council shamed by watchdog for poor handling of complaints

April 6, 2024

Homes plan lodged in 'pollution hotspot' in Oldbury

April 4, 2024

Plans for tower block at site of former drug den in West Bromwich

West Bromwich|Apr 4

April 3, 2024

Flats in cramped street approved at third attempt - old coach house set to make way

Wednesbury|Apr 3

April 2, 2024

Council considering opening new children’s homes – as cost of placements rise by £2.75m

March 28, 2024

Black Country bar can stay open but must find new licence holder after serious police concerns

Appeal over new children’s home in Oldbury

March 27, 2024

Step forward for homes plan at former West Bromwich pub site

West Bromwich|Mar 27

March 26, 2024

Children's home plan allowed to go ahead after government inspector overrules council

March 22, 2024

Former Oldbury butcher's to become Domino's takeaway

New shops and HMO planned for site of former Tipton vape store

Tim Hortons drive-thru to open at Wednesbury retail park

Wednesbury|Mar 22

Pub bosses launch second attempt to put helicopter in garden for use by diners

Rowley Regis|Mar 22

March 20, 2024

Government intervention cost rises to £580,000

Sandwell|Mar 20

Old pub to be converted into flats

West Bromwich|Mar 20

March 18, 2024

We visited borough’s ‘loneliest’ town to find out why people feel so isolated

Pub can reopen after council reinstates licence

West Bromwich|Mar 18

March 14, 2024

Sandwell's political boundary map redrawn ahead of next general election

Sandwell|Mar 14

March 13, 2024

New apartment block approved next to busy Cradley Heath road

Sandwell|Mar 13

March 11, 2024

Government commissioners appointed to tackle council failures cost £375,000 in first year

Sandwell|Mar 11

Council pushing ahead to buy land around Midland Met hospital for new homes and school

Smethwick|Mar 11

March 7, 2024

'Temporarily' shut nursery to close for good as number of children on its books dwindles

Education|Mar 7

March 6, 2024

West Bromwich bar’s licence suspended after ‘serious’ police complaints over alleged assault

West Bromwich|Mar 6

New cycle path linking West Bromwich to Sandwell Valley is approved despite objections

West Bromwich|Mar 6

March 4, 2024

Rejected community centre plan with no parking at disused garage returns with just one space

West Bromwich|Mar 4

March 2, 2024

Bar could lose licence as owners accused of 'failing to call 999 after stabbing'

March 1, 2024

Speed hump plans scrapped after neighbour criticism