Regeneration
Council’s intervention to turn derelict Willenhall sites into housing
Published on
Walsall Council’s compulsory purchase order (CPO) for Willenhall has been confirmed
Walsall Council’s compulsory purchase order (CPO) for Willenhall has been confirmed, giving the local authority the power to acquire swathes of land and derelict sites without requiring permission from the landowners, in order to develop the sites for a housing-led scheme.
The CPO for Willenhall comprises of over 21,000 square meters of land, spanning the area from Villiers Street to Moat Street/Newhall Street and Stafford Street and Temple Bar. Significant parts of the land within the area to be acquired contain vacant/derelict buildings and disused land which have seen ongoing occurrences of vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
Willenhall has been identified as a key area of sustainable growth within the West Midlands Region due to the imminent arrival of a new train station in the town and opportunities to deliver housing growth.
Outline planning permission was granted on 16 July 2024 for the demolition of existing structures on land at Moat Street, Temple Bar, Cemetery Road, Villiers Street and New Hall Street, Willenhall and the development of up to 54 apartments, 53 houses and retention of local listed building for residential purposes, associated junction improvements and car parking, the creation of new public open space and all associated ancillary works.
“ I am delighted with the decision to grant compulsory purchase powers for Willenhall. We will now follow the legal process to acquire the land, but this is a positive step forward in our transformative plans for Willenhall. “
