Walsall eyesore and former pub facing demolition
A former pub in Walsall left derelict after a devastating arson attack five years ago is in line for demolition after plans were approved to replace it with apartments.
The Bulls Head in Bloxwich has been shut since 2007 and was devastated by an arson attack in 2011.
Three years ago the venue looked to have been saved after JD Wetherspoon announced plans for a £1 million revamp – but the plans were scrapped and the chain have since opened The Bloxwich Showman at the other end of the High Street last year.
Now, Walsall Council planning officers have recommended a proposal to demolish the Park Road pub and build 14 support living apartments at the site be approved, seemingly sealing the fate of the former watering hole.
Bloxwich councillor Kath Phillips said news the pub, which has stood in the area since the 1920s, is set to be knocked down is positive for the town.
She said: "I am delighted the application is going to be approved. It has been an absolute eyesore for such a long time.
"This is fantastic news for Bloxwich.
"It is a shame the pub is going to go, it has been a part of the town for a long time, but I do think there was no way back for the site as a pub.
"We have a real need for supported living accommodation in Bloxwich, we have quite an ageing population.
"I think supported living is the best way to look after our elderly too, so it really is great news all round."
The pub's roof was destroyed in a suspected arson attack which caused part of the first floor and interior walls to collapse back in 2011.
Thirty firefighters tackled the blaze, which left the pub in a dangerous state.
As well as JD Wetherspoon, there were also plans to turn the site into a supermarket which never materialised.
Councillor Phillips said: "It isn't good for a community to have empty, unused buildings hanging over, with different plans being touted but never happening.
"It looks like this one is going to happen and I look forward to work starting."
Planning applications for other historic and popular pubs in Walsall are being considered by council bosses with regularity in recent times.
Among these was earlier this month, when The Lime Kilns on Northgate, Aldridge, formerly known as the Struggling Monkey, was the subject of an application to turn it into a shop, creating 30 jobs.
