Walsall’s deputy leader calls for greater powers on derelict sites
The deputy leader of Walsall Council has called for beefed-up government measures to bring derelict land back into use more quickly, as the authority zeroes in on its brownfield-first housing development strategy.
The council launched a consultation on its draft local plan in October last year, a framework of policies and key development sites intended to shape how Walsall develops up to 2040, with the town centre already undergoing major changes as part of a £4bn regeneration plan for the borough.
But speaking at the launch of the SPARK industrial and logistics development this week, Cllr Adrian Andrew said there’s “got to be an easier way” of bringing derelict or stalled developments back into use – with Green Belt sites on the edge of Walsall now coming under increasing pressure for housing development.
Currently, local authorities do have compulsory purchase powers at their disposal, but the process can take years, and involves costly legal fees in order to build sufficiently robust cases.
“Our attitude is brownfield first, but because of the changes to the planning system that the government has introduced, a lot of developers are bringing forward planning applications in the green belt,” he said.
“We’re opposed to that currently, because we have a brownfield first approach, and that’s what we want to see. But we need the infrastructure putting in place as well, and the government have got to help us in terms of bringing brownfield sites back into use.
“I’m all for cutting red tape, we need to get things done – but we need to get the right things done. It’s all very well reducing planning regulations, but we need land owners that are willing to work with the council, and land owners that are willing to bring derelict properties back into use – and we need the powers to bring those properties back into use if land owners won’t work with us. That’s where we need the help.”
Unit A at the SPARK logistics development in Walsall is now complete. Credit: Place Midlands
Cllr Andrew was speaking at the unveiling of phase one of the 270,000 sq ft Origin SPARK scheme on the site of the former James Bridge Copper Works, which closed in 1999 and was once described as the largest brownfields regeneration site in the West Midlands.
The huge 250,000 sq ft Unit A has now been completed on the site, along with a smaller 18,000 sq ft unit. Phase two of the scheme is now underway, with a total of 620,000 sq ft planned across seven buildings on the site.
“This incredible building is just another step on our regeneration journey, and the important thing is the jobs that will be created in this building for local people – that’s what we’re here for,” added Cllr Andrew.
“Where we really need the help is freeing up these sites, and bringing them back into economic use. Land and property that’s been empty or derelict for ten years, there’s got to be an easier way for the public sector to bring it back into use, and that’s what we’d like to see.”
