A Kidderminster area dubbed “a modern day slum” is due to get a new lease of life in an ambitious shops and homes scheme, it was revealed today.
The former Post Office building in Horsefair along with wasteland at the back is set to be transformed into a new store and six apartments.
Mr Sukhjit Sidhu, aged 38, who along with his brother Amerjit, aged 34, is joint owner of the former Post Office and today revealed exclusively to the Express & Star their plans which they say have been held up by problems buying some adjacent land.
The building was recently listed in a dossier of shame compiled by campaigner Jim Cullen, who commissioned a photographer to take dozens of snaps of properties in the Horsefair area, which he claimed had been run-down and neglected for years.
Mr Cullen described the Horsefair as ‘looking like a modern day slum’ and criticised buildings like the former Post Office for being “in a terrible state”.
Mr Sidhu of Penn, Wolverhampton, claimed delays on redeveloping the site had been caused because of missed communications from Wyre Forest District Council. “We are very keen to make improvements and are spearheading the most effective campaign to redevelop this most prominent site in the Horsefair.
“The building has remained undeveloped because of a delay by the council on an agreement to sell off some wasteland at the rear of the property.
“We are concerned about the criticism by campaigners because we had already drawn up this scheme. We hold the freehold of the building and there is wasteland at the rear of the property which we have offered to buy.
“After officials agreed in principal to sell the land we heard nothing for nine months. We discovered information was sent by e-mail.”
Mr Andrew Dickens, head of the council’s culture, leisure and commercial services, said: “We are prepared to sell the land subject to valid planning consent.”
By Sue Smith
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