CONTROVERSIAL plans to renovate buildings on the site of Halesowen Abbey have been unanimously approved by Dudley Council.

Barns on the historic Manor Way site will be converted into six homes and an information centre about the Abbey will now be built.

The decision at Dudley Council’s development control committee paves the way for an intricate dig by hand to find artefacts under the site.

Councillor Tim Wright, chairman of the committee, said: “These plans allow the historical aspect to be protected and the barns will come back into use. I think it is a superb scheme.”

And Councillor Geoff Southall added: “We have to be very careful in dealing with sites of importance like this, but we would all agree it can only be good for the site to put something there that will benefit people and will tidy up the site which is obviously falling into disrepair.

“I am fully supportive of this scheme.”

And Cllr Colin Banks also backed the application.

He said: “As it is, the roof has mostly gone. It has been sensitively done and is a great thing. It will help to support the Abbey.”