Multi-million pound Dudley town centre car park back on cards
Long-awaited plans to build a multi-million pound car park in Dudley town centre have been revived, as council chiefs confirm they are looking to knock down a derelict banqueting suite.
Bosses have earmarked the Mahoe building in Tower Street for demolition with a new car park to be built in its place.
The announcement by the authority comes six months after previous plans for the scheme were shelved in September.
The issue of a lack of parking spaces within easy walking distance of the town centre has dogged Dudley for years.
Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "We are always looking for ways to improve the parking for businesses and visitors in the town centre, and Tower Street is an excellent opportunity to provide parking spaces in a central location to continue to develop the vitality of the town centre."
Council chiefs said they hope demolition work can get under way in the summer.
If planning permission is granted, work will start with the removal of the derelict former banqueting suite and 'continue with feasibility and design works towards a funding package' to build the car park.
Bosses said the plans will build on the continuing programme of investment and regeneration in Dudley.
The Mayor of Dudley Councillor Steve Waltho welcomed the scheme.
He said: "Getting a new car park built is critical.
"It's a constant complaint from people who shop in the town and given the location it has to be good news.
"People have said Flood Street is a bit far away but this would be just a walk around the corner.
"It's also a site that does need a little bit of regeneration as well - a new car park will give us that as it's a bit tatty up there."
The council announced in September it had decided not to progress with a previous scheme, earmarked on land in Tower Street, as it did not represent value for money.
The authority had originally believed the car park could have been built for around £2.5 million but because it is in a conservation area, costs soared to between £3 and £4 million.
Officials said the decision was made following discussions with conservation experts at Historic England.
