People living in Kingswinford, West Midlands, have until 14 March 2026 to submit formal arguments regarding the proposed replacement facilities for a new retirement development after a government inspector overturned a local decision to block the project. The move follows a long-running debate over the future of the former Kingswinford Youth Centre on the High Street, which has stood empty since 2014.
Planning Inspector Richard Aston recently gave Churchill Living Ltd permission to build 49 retirement apartments on the site. Dudley Council had previously refused the plans because of the height of the four-storey building and concerns over parking, but the inspector successfully upheld the developer’s appeal on 24 February 2026.
While the homes have been approved, local people are now being encouraged by the I’m From Kingswinford community group to comment on the proposed replacement facilities. To make up for the loss of play space used by the Kingswinford Knights FC, the developer wants to build a new multi-use games area (MUGA) and a children’s playground on the nearby recreation ground.
Some neighbours are worried that building these new facilities will result in the loss of existing green space in the area. Groups such as Sport England and the Football Foundation originally raised concerns about the loss of playing fields, and this final deadline gives residents a chance to influence how the replacement project affects the local community.
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