HALESOWEN firm Sandvik is making amendments to its proposal for a new smaller headquarters which would safeguard up to 100 jobs.

Proposals from the Swedish company to demolish its current buildings on Manor Way to make way for a smaller office and showroom had been due to go before Dudley Council's planning committee last Thursday, but at the eleventh hour the firm withdrew them from the meeting's agenda.

Sandvik's corporate communications manager Kim Olander said it is still one hundred per cent behind plans, but wanted to make a few amendments to cut down on the amount of conditions imposed by planners.

Proposals are now expected to come before next month's planning meeting, on March 3.

If approved the firm would seek outline planning permission for around 80 homes on the remainder of the site, which will be sold to a developer.

Mr Olander said: "The plans were recommended for approval, however after discussions with planning officers on Wednesday morning we felt with the advice of our agent there were a lot of conditions were being applied to the application and working with the council we felt if we deferred to the meeting on March 3 it would allow us to make amendments to reduce the raft of conditions."

Amendments could now be made to the appearance of the building, landscaping and the entry and exit points, but Mr Olander said none are major changes.

If the application is approved the firm would sell part of the site to a developer for around 80 homes.

Plans led to objections from 14 residents of Cloister Drive who complained the new three-storey office block will reduce light into their properties and reduce their privacy, branding it "ugly and intrusive" and an "eyesore."

They also fear it could cause additional traffic on the A456 and parking problems.

Sandvik has been based on the site since 1958 and the company has said the development will safeguard the jobs of 100 employees who work there.

It no longer has manufacturing or warehousing operations at Manor Way and the move will secure the firm’s future in the area while offering future homes on a brownfield site.

Councillor David Vickers said he supported proposals.

He said: "I can't see anything contentious in the plans.

"It's an ideal spot to build homes, but it has to be with the saving grace of the people who live nearby.

"It's a case of do we want homes there, or in the greenbelt.

"It's Sandvik's HQ for the whole of the UK and they are a big part of Halesowen."

The company manufactures metal-cutting tools and tools for the mining and construction industries as well as stainless steel and alloys.

World-wide Sandvik has 42,000 employees and its global headquarters is based in Stockholm.

It is hoped the new office building would be completed by 2021 - with the residential development coming after.

Councillors are now expected to make a final decision on the application at the meeting on (Tuesday March 3).