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Housing plans agreed for Vandal-hit fomer Willenhall school

A former school targeted by vandals in Willenhall will be demolished after plans were approved.

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Since closing in 2007, the Little London JMI School on Stafford Road has been subject to a spate of vandal attacks, fly-tipping and even had the bell from its iconic clock tower stolen.

Walsall Council's planning committee approved a bid to transform the school into offices and 20 houses when they met on Thursday. The site had previously been earmarked to be a centre for Willenhall Heritage Trust but that plan failed to materialise.

Since then, local councillors and campaigners had fought for the Grade-II listed clock tower on site to be saved whatever happened at the site.

Applicants BE Wedge Holdings have confirmed they will retain the clock tower as part of the new development.

Willenhall Councillor Sean Coughlan said: "We are all looking forward to work starting.

"The site has become a bugbear for local residents and councillors.

"Since it closed, it has been left open to vandalism and we couldn't be happier that a local company is coming in to change that.

"What we are really grateful for is the fact that the new owners of the site have worked with the council and agreed to keep the clock tower, which is part of our heritage."

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