Yobs run riot at historic site

Yobs cannot be stopped from running riot over an historic glassworks site due to a public right of way which goes right through, its owners said today.

Vandals have ripped down boards to get into Stuart Crystal, off Camp Hill, Wordsley.

The makeshift access was made so they can steal metal from buildings, the owners have revealed to the Express & Star.

Complex Development Projects is waiting for planning permission to start work on a multi-million pound scheme to build apartments and homes on the plot.

But a right of way going through the site means it is very difficult to keep it secure, managing director Ian Harrabin said today.

The company has already spent nearly half a million pounds on site clearance and security.

Mr Harrabin said: "We have pulled most of the buildings down which has opened the site up. We cannot stop people going through it as it's a public right of way. We have bricked up all but one of the entrances of the buildings that are left. I don't see how anyone could get in.

"There were people playing football outside the other day. We would like to think people using the path can let us know if they see anything going on."

He said he would investigate reports by residents that gangs had broken down the only steel door which had not been bricked up to allow access to builders.

People have been arrested on site and the police have been there numerous times.

Mr Harrabin added: "They have even ripped off metal covers which rested on top of tanks in the ground. This meant someone could have fallen down them and we have had to make them safe."

The firm obtained listed building consent at the end of last year and have started knocking down the unprotected buildings on the site.

The layout and design of new buildings in the scheme have been criticised by planners at Dudley Council who warned the proposal could be thrown out unless these elements were changed.