A FORMER Halesowen church on the gateway into the town looks set to be converted into apartments.

An application to turn the former Halesowen United Church on Hagley Road into ten apartments has gone in to Dudley Council.

Developer Hawkes Bay Limited wants to convert and extend the building into ten flats - four one-bedroom and six two-bedroom flats, with eight parking spaces.

Halesowen News: Halesowen United Church is opposite Asda in the town centre Halesowen United Church is opposite Asda in the town centre (Image: Google)

Notes to planners state the development would preserve the large building and "provide a landmark residential building close to the town centre."

The church, opposite Asda, closed and was put up for sale in March 2022, with a £350k price tag.

Halesowen News: The new building would mix modern elements with the original building The new building would mix modern elements with the original building (Image: C&S Architects)

Notes state that existing features such as the large east window and large curved stone surrounded windows would be preserved.

They go on to say: "The original church building is still visible and the new build elements, whilst subservient, are still contemporary in design and clearly show the relationship between old and new."

The site was originally part of a timber yard in the late 1800s, before a hall was developed by the start of the 1920s.

It was extended over the years with front element likely to have been constructed in 1961.

The application, in the Halesowen South ward, will be considered by planners.