Eyesore shopping centre set to finally be demolished
A 'shocking blight' on Brownhills High Street could finally be gone after plans to redevelop a dilapidated shopping centre were approved.
Walsall Council’s planning committee gave the thumbs up to a proposal by Lightquote Limited to partially demolish Ravens Court and create a two-storey building with two retail units and a gym.
Fed-up ward councillor Stephen Wade said he hoped these plans would actually come to fruition and end years of misery in the area.
Tesco had been due to take over the site but their plans for a superstore fell through in 2014 and provoked desperate calls for Walsall Council to take action.
The centre has been disused for a number of years and fallen into a crumbling state whilst attracting fly-tippers and anti-social behaviour.
David Morgan, chairman of Labour Party’s Brownhills branch, said he had previously witnessed youths climbing up on top of the unsafe buildings.
Suspended
He added such reports prompted the threat of enforcement action against the owners which was only suspended when these plans came to light.
Councillor Wade told the committee: “We have been battling for years to bring a development forward at Ravens Court.
“It has fallen into a serious state of disrepair and brought problems to the area such as fly-tipping and vandalism on a huge scale.
“Brownhills has got huge potential and this development would bring new opportunities, new businesses, create jobs and sort out what is a shocking blight on the High Street.”
Council leader and planning committee chairman Mike Bird said: “Both the Conservatives and Labour are one on this issue and their has been cross-party support for finding a solution.
“Ravens Court has been a problem for many years and has made Brownhills people tell us, ‘you are letting us down’.
“These plans are welcome but we should give a two-year planning permission instead of three to help concentrate the minds and ensure this happens.”
After the meeting, Councillor Wade said: “We have had lots of false dawns about Ravens Court in the past but if this happens it would finally transform the area and that is very much needed to fulfil the obvious potential the people and the area has.”
Mr Morgan said: “We don’t know how structurally sound the building is, it is not secure and it is very dangerous. Police have been called out a number of times when youths have been seen climbing on to the roof there.
“We welcome the planning application coming forward and hope work will be starting on site soon.”