M6 hoarding plan pulled

Plans for a controversial advertising hoarding next to the M6 at Wednesbury have been pulled.

Opus Land had applied to build the giant hoarding, to be known as the Sandwell Gateway, on land at St Paul's Road, with a decision set to be made at a meeting of Sandwell's planning committee last night.

Initial plans were entered last year, but scaled down after concerns were raised about its size.

A revised application for a structure measuring 279ft by 82ft at a height of 135ft above ground level was then submitted but has now been pulled by the developer.

Both police and the Highways Agency objected, saying the hoarding could cause a distraction to motorists and the council had also received a 1,000 signature petition objecting to it. Officers had recommended it be refused. Opus Land was unavailable for comment.