Plans to Convert Wednesbury Pub into HMO Gains Council Support

Sandwell Council planners back a plan that turns the long-unused Forge Tavern on Furnace Street into an eight-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation. The council is set to confirm the plan at its next meeting. The old pub has stood empty since it closed in 2016. ## History of Attempts to Revive the Forge Tavern

The Forge Tavern has faced hard times. For eight years, new ideas have come and gone. Past ideas wished to use the site as an Islamic tuition centre or a local centre for residents. Each idea met pushback over parking concerns. The council noted that weak bus and train links and the building’s far distance from the town added to parking worries. Birmingham Live

The Latest Proposal

This time, the plan focuses on the upper floors. The new home will be an HMO, while the old bar area stays untouched for now. A later plan will treat that part if needed. The plan sets aside ten parking spaces for residents. The council finds this solution acceptable. Birmingham Live

The council says the plan not only fills an empty space but also helps lift the local area. The planning committee will meet on April 2, 2025, to speak further about the plan. Birmingham Live

Previous Rejections and Community Feedback

Several past plans did not work out. In 2018 and again in 2021, ideas to use the pub as an Islamic tuition centre were stopped mainly by worries about local parking. Plans to make a community centre were stopped in 2022 and May 2024 for similar reasons. Critics said these plans did not show clear links between new foot traffic and parking needs. This lack of clarity made the council decide against them. Birmingham Live

In 2017 a plan to turn the pub into an HMO got a nod at first but then was not done. That permission passed without use. The new plan now aims to use a space that has long been an eyesore in the community. Birmingham Live

Implications for Property Investment in Wednesbury

For those keen on property, especially HMOs, this change shows that old buildings can be put to new work. Converting the Forge Tavern into an HMO matches a move to use old commercial sites for homes. This helps meet local housing needs and brightens up neglected areas.

Investors might study this case. It shows how to follow local planning rules, hear community voices, and shift old spaces into homes that work. The support shown by Sandwell Council sends a positive sign for similar projects in the area. Birmingham Live

Conclusion

Changing the Forge Tavern into an HMO is a strong step toward a better Wednesbury and a better use of land. Property buyers and others in the market should watch the next council meeting as its outcome can set a guide for future plans. Local rules now help push new housing ideas forward.

For more details and updates on this topic, refer to Birmingham Live.

Sources:

• Birmingham Live article on the Forge Tavern and Sandwell Council’s plan. Birmingham Live

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