Cleared site becomes fly-tipping hotspot

The site of a former community centre has become a fly-tipping hotspot following the demolition of the building.

Roapp Hall in Darlaston became a magnet for drug users and vandals when it closed several years ago.

New owners came in to take over the site in Dorset Road, and have completed the last stages of demolition. But while householders were blighted by anti-social behaviour when the building was still standing, now they are suffering the effects of people dumping piles of rubbish on the land.

Darlaston Councillor Paul Bott said temporary fencing round the site had been ripped down and black bags full of waste were being routinely dumped there.

He said: "It's getting really untidy again. Some of the security fencing has been broken down and it's overgrown.

"Residents are concerned that they may have got rid of anti-social behaviour just to create another problem with fly-tipping."

He added: "They feel like they are back to square one.

"They desperately need some plans as to what is going to be done with the site.

"Some people are trying to sell their properties in that vicinity.

"But anyone coming to see a property might just walk away from it if they see what's there."

The owners plan to build a residential rehabilitation centre for spinal injury patients on the site.

It would be the first centre of its kind in the West Midlands.

Plans were approved by Walsall Council planning officers earlier this year, but nothing has been done with the land since the demolition of the old centre in April.

Councillor Bott added: "The poor residents have to put up with it until a permanent security fence is erected."

The community centre was built in 1937.

The rehabilitation centre will feature hydrotherapy pools and a team of physiotherapists, nurses and consultants to help people recover from accidents in which they have suffered spinal injuries.