A £15 million scheme to transform a historic Black Country glassmaking site into offices and new homes has been delayed after developers decided to re-consider current plans. The news is a blow to residents.
Complex Development Projects (CDP) was granted permission to redevelop the former Stuart Crystal site, in Camp Hill, Wordsley, last August.
Work on the scheme, originally a mixture of 114 new apartments and houses, was due to begin in spring this year as bosses did not want construction to take place during winter.
But as summer approaches there are still no signs of any work taking place - leaving residents wondering what has happened.
Bosses from CDP today said they were carrying out a review of the plans to see whether the scheme was right for the current demands of the housing market.
They are considering whether to reduce the number of apartments planned for the development and increase the number of houses.
But no deadline has been set for the review or the new start date for work.
The delay will come as a blow to residents who were already disappointed about the site being left derelict for so long.
They say the site, which has been cleared apart from the remains of historic buildings to be included in the development, is an eyesore and gives the wrong impression of the town.
Ian Harribin, director of CDP, said the company was also eager for work to start but needed to make sure the development matched market demands.
“We have decided to review plans for the scheme at this stage and that is why no physical work has started on site,” he said.
“In view of the changing housing market we are taking the opportunity to review the product to see whether it is right for current demand.”
But Councillor Harry Nottingham, representative for Wordsley, said while he could understand the reasons for the review it was still disappointing for the town.
By Lee Watton
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