Fears for children's safety at blaze site

The site of Millfields Social Club, in Crookhay Lane, Hateley Heath, stood was to be turned into a £1 million super-club, but families say it has remained derelict.

Ida Jones, aged 83, who lives opposite, said: "It has been like this for five years and it is horrible to see it outside my window every day. It is surrounded by railings, but it hasn't stopped children from getting in.

"It has become a dangerous playground and a dumping ground for rubbish."

Neighbour Clarence Greens, aged 72, said it was time something was done about the eyesore.

"All it is now is a death-trap playground for the local kids," he said.

"It won't be long before one of them is seriously hurt."

Millfields Social Club, a wooden building, burned down in the early hours of January 16, 2004.

Dozens of firefighters tackled the blaze, which caused damage estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds.

After the clear-up operation, plans were submitted to Sandwell Council to turn the site into a £1 million super-club, but the plans have been frozen.

Wednesbury North's Councillor Bill Archer and his wife Freda used to be members of the social club.

He said there is no way another club will be built on the site.

"It is clear to see that they started to build on the site but then work was frozen.

"The land is owned by the council and they need to step up a gear and do something about this dreadful site.

"There is not a chance that it is going to become another club, but there were talks a while ago about turning it into a medical centre."

Sandwell Council said it leases the site and planning permission was granted to turn it into a club in January 2005. Work needs to have started on it by January 2010.

Councillor Michael Middleton said there is a 99 year lease left on the site so it could remain an eyesore for many years to come.

"While residents wait for something to happen the site is left as a disgrace, filled with mattresses, chairs and rubbish," he said.