Hostel demo turns into victory march

Hundreds of residents celebrated a victory in their fight against a probation hostel being built in their community by taking to the streets.

The march had been planned in protest at plans to site the bail accommodation for up to 40 offenders at the former Moxley Infants School in Moxley.

Walsall regeneration chief Councillor Adrian Andrew has since said the land will be put on the market with a development brief that it should be used for housing.

Triumphant residents decided to continue with their planned march on Saturday to mark their achievement.

Police cordoned off roads as the campaigners followed a circular one-mile route from Moxley People's Centre down Queen Street, Charnwood Close, Bull Lane, Hollyhead Road, Margaret Road, Dangerfield Lane and back to Moxley Road.

Co-organiser Paul Bott, aged 62, said: "We're overjoyed. People who worked hard over the years to buy their homes have now seen the value of those properties rise back up again. Mothers with pushchairs joined us because they know their children will be able to play in the park without them having to worry what dangers might be about.

"This has been a real victory for the people of Moxley and Darlaston – we mobilised parents, teachers,everyone, and we couldn't have done it without them."

Moxley and Darlaston Against The Bail Hostel was founded by residents, with a 15-strong committee formed two months ago when the proposals were first mooted.

Almost 4,000 people have since signed a petition opposing the scheme and more than 200 campaigners took part in a public protest last month to voice their concerns.

Under the plans, smaller bail hostels are set to close. This is likely to include Stonnall Road Bail Hostel in Aldridge.

Mr Bott, whose wife Chris was also at the forefront of the fight, said their battle would continue until housing went up on the Moxley Road site.