DEVELOPERS looking to demolish a landmark Norton pub to make way for a care home have put together a second plan for the site after the first was refused.

An earlier proposal by Frontier Estates to demolish The Greyhound pub on Norton Road and replace it with a 55-bed care facility was refused by Dudley Council’s planning committee last July after hundreds of people objected - branding it "totally out of character".

The developers, however, recently lodged an appeal with Her Majesty's Planning Inspectorate over the refusal of planning permission although no decision has been made yet.

But now Norton residents have reported receiving a leaflet from Frontier Estates advising of a second attempt to gain planning permission for the facility.

It says: “This will be the second application for a care home on this site. Whilst the first application had officer support, it was refused by the council’s planning committee. This amended scheme seeks to respond to the comments of the planning committee by proposing a building of a reduced scale.

“Our vision is to develop a new 52-bed care home on this site, delivering much-needed accommodation for the elderly, responding to an identified need.”

The leaflet says Gillings Planning would welcome feedback as they progress the proposal on behalf of Frontier Estates and prepare to submit a new planning application.

People can find out more online at www.gillingsplanning.co.uk/stourbridge.

The facility, which would be accessed off Norton Road, would provide spacious ensuite bedrooms and communal facilities with lounges, dining rooms, terraces, hair salon, cinema, café, garden space and 20 parking spaces.

A spokesperson for Gillings Planning said of its plans: "Following consideration of the council’s refusal of the first planning application, Frontier Estates Ltd followed due process and submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. This is pending consideration and we look forward to the Inspector’s decision is due course.

"At the same time, we are also preparing a second application which seeks to respond to the planning committee comments by proposing a reduced scale, 52-bedroom care home. This is what local residents are currently being consulted on.

"We look forward to resident comments and will consider these before a planning application is submitted in March/April."

People are asked to give feedback by Monday March 14 but any comments made after that will still be considered.