Road could re-open six years after closure

Corn Hill in Wolverhampton links the Wednesfield Road in Heath Town with Horseley Fields via Sun Street but was closed in 2008 after a fire at the old Steam Mill building.

For years residents and councillors have called for the road to return to use but it has been out of action until the building was made safe.

Wolverhampton City Council has now said the building's owners have applied for a listed building application to carry-out work on the shell of the listed structure.

But former Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Milkinder Jaspal said the council needs to push ahead for the demolition of the Steam Mill, describing it as an 'eyesore'.

Council spokesman Gurdip Thandi said: "The city council has been in close dialogue with the owners of the Steam Mill with a view to ensuring that the building is firstly secured and safe and for the company to progress a listed building application for consent to undertake some work to the building to enable the highway to be reopened.

"The listed building application has now been submitted and it is anticipated that this work will be undertaken this year with a view to having the highway reopened in the autumn.

"This is a very costly and difficult piece of work for the owners of the building. Nevertheless the council are pressing for an early resolution in this matter.

"It is for the owners to make a case to English Heritage and the local planning authority whether or not there is a safe and economic case for the building to be demolished."

After the fire scaffolding was put up to prevent its collapse which meant that access to the road was blocked from Sun Street and Horseley Fields.

The building had been due to be razed to the ground to make way for a £15 million extension of the Midlands Metro but part of it was saved under new plans announced last November.

Councillor Jaspal who represents Heath Town ward said: "On an almost weekly basis I have someone contact me to complain about the road.

"The building has become an eyesore and a nuisance and it is time that the owners get a move on. There have been promises made in the fast and nothing has been done. It has been going on for too long now.

"I'm going to be addressing the council to get the building demolished. There was a time when people held affection for the Steam Mill but the longer it has been derelict the more tired people have become of it."

The listed building had been earmarked for development as flats since 2003 but no plans were ever submitted and mystery still surrounds the identity of its owner.