24-hour security staff deployed in Willenhall after fires at derelict site set for redevelopment

Residents speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service last week called on more support from the authority as fires happen ‘twice a week’, motorbikes roar up and down the greenway running parallel to the properties, and people engage in drug related activities.

Walsall Council is currently working to acquire the mostly derelict buildings across the 21,000 square metre site covering Moat Street, Temple Bar, Cemetery Road, Villiers Street, and New Hall Street.

The authority was granted a compulsory purchase order last year in order to deliver the Willenhall Masterplan.

The project includes the demolition of existing buildings, most of them derelict and a magnet for antisocial behaviour, to build 107 new homes.

Deputy leader of Walsall Council, councillor Adrian Andrew, had promised that demolition works would ‘start in the new year’ last November, but they are still yet to start.

Now Councillor Andrew said the council has ‘cleared a major hurdle this week and there’s light at the end of the tunnel’.

The council said some sites which are yet to be acquired have been granted an extension to allow extra time to relocate to new premises.

In the meantime, it has deployed security guards to patrol the area 24 hours a day and fenced off some of the buildings to prevent people gaining access.

Developer Keepmoat will be conducting surveys over the coming weeks before demolishing existing structures ready to remediate the land for construction.

Councillor Andrew said: “It’s brilliant news that we’re moving closer towards the completion of the compulsory purchase in Willenhall.

“I can’t wait to see activity start on-site to demolish these derelict buildings that have been a blight on the community for far too long.

“These processes take time but this week we’ve cleared a major hurdle and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“Another huge step forward in our transformation of Willenhall, delivering high-quality new homes for the community.

“It’ll take some time for contractors to survey the sites and put up fencing where needed, but it’s great news that we have been able to arrange 24hour security patrols in the area, hopefully this will put a stop to the antisocial behaviour we’ve been seeing recently and keep local people safe.”