MORE than 800 people have signed an online petition to show their objections to plans to demolish a landmark Norton pub and build a large-scale care home on the site.

Andrew Reece started the petition on Change.org after hearing about the plan by Frontier Estates to build a 60-bedroom facility with 20 parking spaces on site on the corner of Norton Road and Greyhound Lane which is currently occupied by The Greyhound pub.

As of Tuesday 833 people had signed the Save the Greyhound petition – calling for the pub to be saved.

Mr Reece described the proposed development as "large" and "unfitting" for the site which is on the corner of a busy road junction and a gateway into Stourbridge.

He said: "There has been a public house called The Greyhound on the Norton Road for over 100 years. This pub has been a big part of the community and the history of Norton.

"There will be only 20 parking spaces for this building on the busy Norton road which is not adequate for this size of development."

Norton ward councillor Karen Shakespeare has objected to the proposed two-and-a-half storey development as part of a public consultation organised by Gillings Planning on behalf of the developers.

She has described the proposed structure as "too imposing, too close to the road" and too close to a busy road traffic island.

The developers say the proposed new home would make good use of previously developed land and help to meet the need for elderly nursing and dementia care by providing "high quality en-suite accommodation for the elderly, exceeding Care Quality Commission standards". They also say the scheme would bring a jobs boost to the area.

It is expected that a planning application will be submitted to Dudley Council's planning department in mid-January.

Meanwhile people living nearby are invited to have their say by emailing comments to laura@gillingsplanning.co.uk or people can call 02382 358877.