AN historic former factory building in Stourbridge due to be incorporated into a new canalside housing scheme is in a “state of collapse” and needs to be demolished, according to a report submitted on behalf of the developers.

The listed former Suttons Holloware factory building in Old Wharf Road has long lain derelict and is now in a “dangerous structural state” – a design statement submitted to Dudley Council’s planning team states.

Taylor Wimpey is developing the former industrial site next to Stourbridge Canal – with work underway to build 256 new homes.

Planning approval was given in November 2021 for a mix of apartments and two, three and four-bedroom homes to be built on the site and work began this year.

The developers originally said the remains of the old office building for the former Suttons Holloware Company, which made pots and pans, would be retained and converted into four apartments.

An application, however, has now been submitted to planners seeking to discharge conditions to permit the demolition of the crumbling redbrick building after a building inspection report described it as being “beyond repair”.

The design statement says: “Controlled demolition of the building would remove and risk of further collapse and falling masonry.

“Following demolition, the front elevation would be sensitively reconstructed, utilising existing materials that would be carefully salvaged, saved and stored during the demolition, ready for reconstruction.”

It says the new build would be set back from the road by one metre to allow for landscaping and adds: “The proposed building would replace the existing structure, allowing for development of four dwellings to latest building regulations, rebuilding the front facade to its original scale, proportions, gables and detailing.

“The proposed rebuilding would retain the original semi-circular window detail and where possible the utilise original brickwork.

“The stone work stonework features would be reused with their historic links to the buildings original use.”

The application is expected to be determined by council officers under delegated powers, a spokesperson for Dudley Council said.