170 homes for old Servis land

Developers are drawing up proposals to build the properties at the old Servis UK washing machine distribution complex in Darlaston.

It comes after plans were shelved to build shops, restaurants, housing and leisure attractions at the site in Darlaston Road, Kings Hill, two years ago.

Land owner West Register (Realisations) Ltd is poised to lodge new plans with Walsall Council for 153 houses and 18 flats this month. Under the scheme, access will be provided from the main road and an emergency road off Bright Street.

The developer's planning agent Indigo told the Express & Star the application was being finalised, with bosses now writing to residents to inform them of the move.

In the letter, Amy James, from Indigo, said: "The development will meet an identified need for new homes in Darlaston. It will bring a vacant site back into use and will deliver a good quality residential development of two to five bedroom homes."

Darlaston South ward representative Councillor Paul Bott said he welcomed the proposals, but added he would have also liked to have seen a project to create much needed jobs for the town.

There were initial plans years ago for homes, but a fresh consultation was held in 2011 to consider the best use of the land. However, no firm plans were ever produced for retail or leisure facilities on the land.

It has meant the prominent location just outside the centre of Darlaston has been in limbo since the factory was demolished around four years ago.

Councillor Bott said: "I would have liked to see the land returned to employment use because there is a desperate need for jobs here. Developers just keep building houses. I'm concerned that we might not have enough room in our local schools and capacity at the health centre."

Indigo said a planning application will be submitted by the end of this month.

Servis UK fell into difficulties in 2008 and administrators were called in during that autumn. There were 50 employees at the site at the time, but there had been 150 staff before the company began outsourcing work. The first Servis washing machine was made in Darlaston in 1929 and the firm became a powerhouse for employment.