ENGLISH Heritage has been accused of ‘washing its hands’ of historic Halesowen Abbey just days ahead before a controversial housing application gets the go-ahead.

Time is running out to ensure ancient artefacts buried beneath the Abbey site will be saved if Dudley Council’s Development Control Committee passes an application to convert barns into six homes on Monday.

Council officers have recommended the application be approved but the issue could soon be discussed in Parliament as Halesowen MP James Morris has tabled a debate concerning local heritage sites.

The Abbey, which was founded in the 13th Century and fell into ruin after Henry VIII ordered its closure, is seen as one of the most important relics in the Midlands.

Mick Freer from the Halesowen Abbey Trust launched a scathing attack on English Heritage citing years of inaction.

He said: “The finger points to negligence when it comes to how English Heritage have handled Halesowen Abbey. They have had the attitude of Pontius Pilate and have left its future in the hands of it Dudley Council.

“What annoys me is that English Heritage are at Colmore Row in Birmingham and could come and look at the Abbey by jumping on the number 9 bus but they cant be bothered.”

“If Halesowen Abbey was anywhere else but Halesowen you can bet that English Heritage would be pulling out all the stops.”

Halesowen and Rowley Regis James Morris is so concerned about the dangers of losing local history he has tabled a debate in Parliament called Heritage Sites in Halesowen.

He said: “I am very worried about the attitude of English Heritage concerning Halesowen Abbey as it is vital to protect this site of national importance.

“If the planning application gets the go-ahead we are entering a vital period to ensure a proper architectural dig by hand takes place so nothing is lost.”

He added: “I support the Halesowen Abbey Trust in their campaign to ensure the site is protected and if the development gets the go-ahead there is a fully supervised hand dig of the area.

“I will also be contacting the Minister of Culture, Media and Sport concerning this issue.”

The Dudley Council planning report concerning the application states English Heritage have been consulted about the application and they concluded: “There should be a condition that groundworks are archaelogically supervised and appropriate recording of features of interest occurs.”