End in sight for fly-tipping blight
Wasteland that has been the target of fly-tippers for the past 30 years will finally be transformed under new plans revealed today.
A recycling plant could be built at Kitchener Street, Smethwick, creating 60 new jobs.
Campaigners have been calling for the land, which has been vacant for three decades, to be cleared after numerous problems with fly-tipping. Everything from old sofas to car tyres, TVs and even the kitchen sink have been dumped there.
See also: Opening hours cut further at Wolverhampton rubbish tips.
And council officers have now revealed that the site could be sold off to a developer that has tabled plans for a recycling plant. Sandwell Council is holding a meeting tonight and councillors are advised to give the scheme the go-ahead.
Members of the friends group which looks after the neighbouring Black Patch Park group have long campaigned to clean up flytipping on the land.
Group member Ted Rudge said: "I'm very surprised with this plan.
"But there has been a long problem with fly-tipping on the site, it has been horrendous down there."
The official report about the scheme, which will be discussed behind closed doors, says 59 jobs will be created in the first year, with further jobs to follow as the company – which has not yet been named – expands. It wants to turn the area into an 'eco-energy park'.
See also: Fly-tipping haunt finally gated off.
The report reveals the unnamed developer has applied for grant funding from the Black Country Growing Priority Sectors Regional Growth Fund programme.
The document reads: "The former housing site has been vacant for some 30 years and has more recently been gated off due to incidences of fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
"This will involve the development of a state-of-the-art, latest technology, steam-driven recycling plant within a purpose-built highly-sustainable building."
Members of the Friends of Black Patch Park group have previously launched a petition demanding action over fly-tipping on the site.
Council officers say if councillors do not agree to the sale of the land, the company is prepared to look for another site for the recycling plant outside of Sandwell.
