Planners approve ‘first step’ of Walsall town centre regeneration
Councillors have approved a major plan to transform a former department store in Walsall town centre.
Last night members of the planning committee unanimously approved to convert the former Marks & Spencer on Park Street into an Adult Learning Centre for Walsall College.
It was described by Councillor Mike Bird, leader of the council and chair of the planning committee, as the ‘first step’ in the regeneration of Walsall town centre.
The plans will see the two-storey building, which has stood vacant since 2018, converted into a ‘modern learning environment’ for over 700 students.
Two objections were submitted to the council over the proposals on the grounds of loss of privacy for flats on adjacent Station Street, and the increase of people loitering around the building.
Councillor John Murray said in any other application, the council would not approve plans which allowed visibility into bedroom windows opposite.
It led to a condition being added to the consent, requiring all existing windows and new ones be replaced with one-way privacy glass.
To address the loitering, Councillor Bird spoke of increasing the height of walls on Station Street or even adding spikes to prevent people from sitting on them.
David Moore, director of special programmes at the authority, said the council ‘will see what can be done’.
The 1970s building is located within the Saddlers Centre, also set to get a makeover as part of the council’s Connected Gateway project.
Now approved, work will be underway to deliver the ALC which is set to have 28 classrooms, an ICT suite, a lecture theatre, study pods and more.
Councillor Aftab Nawaz said: “I’m really pleased with this development, it’s been an eye sore for some years now.
“I think the people of Walsall are becoming impatient. We’re hearing a lot of plans and people want to see the difference.”
Councillor Mark Statham said: “This is not a gamble. We’re talking about a minimum of 750 people on a daily basis.
“Having people in the area makes it safe and it ticks all the boxes of what we’re trying to achieve.
“I think it perfectly compliments the regeneration of the town centre but also the aspirations of the students that are going to be there.”
Councillor Bird added: “The longest journey starts with the first step. This is the first step to the regeneration of Walsall.”
