DUDLEY Council is to have the final say on plans to name a new landmark building after two Stourbridge stalwarts.

Developers Churchill Retirement Living have asked the council for permission to add Langer's Place to the name of their new retirement apartments on Enville Street.

The new building, which will occupy land previously home to the well-known Langer's Army and Navy Store, already has approval to be called Haden Lodge, after Stourbridge historian Jack Haden.

The decision to name the building after Mr Haden caused concern for the family of Herbert Langer, a former soldier who ran his surplus store on the site for nearly 60 years.

After Mr Langer's death, in August 2004, the site was sold to developers Ravenscroft who agreed their planned luxury apartments on the land would be called Langer's Place.

The plans were shelved and the site was sold to Bromsgrove based Churchill, who ran a competition for Stourbridge people to suggest names for the new building.

Earlier this month the company announced it had chosen Haden Lodge for the project, which is expected to open in July.

Churchill say they always intended to remember the Langer name with a plaque and, subject to the approval of Herbert's family, a memorial garden at the complex.

After learning of Churchill's decision, members of the Langer family approached the developer to express their disappointment the Langer name was to disappear from the site.

Following negotiations, Churchill agreed to apply to Dudley Council to add Langer's Place to the name of the building, alongside Haden Lodge.

Lisa Darcy, from Churchill, said: "We don't know what their view is going to be but we have asked the question, we are hoping for a decision any time now."

Herbert's son Stephen says it is right to remember Jack Haden for his work in the area but the shop site will always be associated with Herbert and his famous store.

Stephen, said: "This is a solution, this is more than I was hoping for and I have got my fingers crossed, a lot of people I have spoken to support us.

"It is Langer's place and if it's on the map we would be happy, it will be there for a long time to come, through the generations."