'Just like the Crooked House': Residents' anger over demolition of a historic stone wall in village near Dudley
Residents of a Black Country village have reacted with anger after a historic stone wall was unexpectedly demolished.
The Gornal Stone wall is though to have stood outside Queen Victoria Primary School in Sedgley since it was built in 1897.
But residents in the village were shocked this week to find the wall demolished, and temporary railings erected to secure the site.
The development has been described as 'unfortunate' by Dudley Council, but the authority said it had no powers to prevent the work which was carried out by the school.
The school is run by Stour Valley Academy Trust, and is unconnected to the local authority.
It said the wall and railings were being replaced by a new fence which were essential to protect the safety of staff and pupils.
Resident Sue Steadman spoke of her sadness at the loss of the wall, and likened it to the loss of the Crooked House, saying many mothers would have fond memories of waiting outside the school for their children.
She questioned why it was not listed.
"It looked beautiful and set the school off, framed the school if you like and yet no-one even knew this was being thought about," she said.
"We as mothers have leaned on that wall awaiting our children, then grandchildren and great grandchildren coming out of school.
"Why is our heritage being removed and destroyed? It’s such a shame , surely it would have been cheaper to repair rather than replace.
"It’s disgusting that we were not informed and not had time to have our say Just like the Crooked House , just pulled down and then it’s done."
Former pupil John Corser, 65, said: "It's horrible to see even more of Sedgley's heritage disappear.
"A lovely old wall demolished and no consultation, as with the removal of safety barriers in the centre of the village."
Andy Robinson added: "We should get to vote on individual issues because at the moment no one agrees with what's being done and we don't have a say."
Councillor Phil Atkins, cabinet member for development and regulation, regretted the development, but said no planning laws had been broken, and the council did not have the power to stop it.
“Whilst it is unfortunate that the wall has been demolished, the demolition is permitted under the planning legislation as the wall was not in a conservation area and the building to which it related is not a listed building.”
A spokesman for Stour Vale Academy Trust said: "The safety of the pupils and staff at Queen Victoria Primary School, their families and the wider community of Sedgley is one of our key priorities.
"The replacement of the perimeter wall and fence with a new fence is an essential project and part of a wider programme of works which will provide a safer and more welcoming learning environment for the children."
