Demolition at vandal-plagued Coseley School site approved after redevelopment plans abandoned
The remains of closed Coseley School are being demolished after becoming a magnet for vandalism and rough sleepers.
Plans for redevelopment of the site, off Henne Drive, have been plagued with problems since the school closed in 2017.
A new technology school on the site was due to open in September 2025 but the scheme was shelved after the collapse of construction company ISG.
The site had been partially demolished and Dudley Council is now flattening the rest of the buildings after they were deemed vulnerable to anti-social behaviour.
Phil Atkins, Dudley Council cabinet member for development and regulation, approved the work; notes with his decision said: “We are currently providing 24-hour security to the site due to a high level of anti-social behaviour.
“The costs to this are exceeding the value of the actual demolition and so a decision is needed urgently to complete a full demolition/removal from the site.”
The notes add site visits were undertaken to assess the extent of spoil remaining on site following the collapse of ISG and its withdrawal from the site.
Inspectors on the site found evidence of rough sleeping, drug and alcohol misuse, arson, and vandalism and decided the council had to act to prevent further risks to residents and emergency services.
While contractors were on site clearing rubble in mid-October they were instructed to continue with demolition of the remaining buildings.
The prospect of a new school on the site seems to have gone for good following a decision by the Department of Education (DfE) to pull out of the scheme.
The total cost of demolition and clearing the site is around £150,000; the DfE has agreed to pay £41,000 but who will pick up the remaining £109,000 is unclear.
The decision notes said: “The DfE were obliged under their contract to remove all spoil from the site.
“They have since declined to do so but have agreed to reimburse the council for the removal of all the demolition rubble left as a result of their work at a cost to themselves.”
Dudley Council is currently considering possible alternative uses for the land and sources within the authority say they are doing everything possible to avoid council tax payers having to cough up for the remainder of the demolition.
