Homes to be built on former Coseley Baths site
New homes will be built on the former site of Coseley Baths, which has lain empty since it was controversially demolished six years ago.
Plans for a development comprising of 24 homes have been lodged for the Pear Tree Lane site.
Dudley Council's decision to close the baths in August 2009 after more than 40 years led to an acrimonious row.
There was widespread opposition in the area and despite a high-profile campaign to save the facility, and even the threat of legal action, the baths were eventually bulldozed the following March.
Coseley councillor Melvyn Mottram said he was pleased something could finally be done with the 1.5-acre site, which is owned by Dudley Council.
He said: "It's good that the site is going to be used.
"I would much prefer there was a baths on there but that's not going to happen.
"It's the only good thing that can be put on there, we need more homes in the area.
"There is no chance of another baths being there, the funding is not there."
Much of the site has been fenced off since the baths were demolished.
Its car park remains but has degraded since being abandoned.
Under the plans, which are now set to go before Dudley Council in the coming months, the development would be spilt into eight two-bedroom, 10 three-bedroom and six four-bedroom homes.
The two-bedroom homes would be affordable. Access to the new homes would be gained via Old Meeting Road and Pear Tree Lane.
The closure of Coseley Baths left a sour taste with campaigners and Pat Jordan, aged 74, believes the site should be used for another leisure facility.
She said: "They took a facility off us that was very well used. It was disgusting what they did to Coseley Baths.
"I don't want houses, I want a swimming baths."
The site was shut by the council after officers said it needed £1 million of urgent repairs to make the roof safe.
A further £1m was needed to bring the rest of the building up to scratch.
Bosses also highlighted the number of alternative swimming pools in the area, including a new £15m centre in Bilston.
A campaign to save the baths ultimately failed. The Save Coseley Baths campaign group suffered a huge blow when it was refused funding to launch legal action.
