Dozens of homes to replace historic Walsall buildings
Plans to demolish Victorian buildings including houses and a former chapel to make way for 42 homes have been approved.
The plans, submitted by Pegasus Group in partnership with Walsall Housing Group, will see buildings on land between Park Lane and Wood Street, Darlaston, torn down.
Factories and warehouses are also on the site, which will be house 12 one bed flats, 18 two bed houses, seven three bed houses and five four bedroom houses.
The Victorian buildings have fallen into disrepair and developers say their plans will 'provide much needed affordable accommodation'.
Darlaston councillor Doug James said: "I think the main thing is that we want new houses in our community, so I welcome the development.
"However, our issue is the outstanding social housing list and while this will clearly bring new homes to the area, which is welcomed, I wonder whether these homes are for local people or people coming to the area for work.
"I certainly welcome this application being approved.
"There is always going to be controversy when old buildings are torn down however that is what the planning process is there for."
Initial applications for the site were made back in October 2015, with permission given by Walsall Council on March 31.
A report attached to the application reads: "The site is in a sustainable location on a brownfield site, and will use modern, energy efficient methods of construction.
"The development will provide good quality homes in an existing residential area close to the local centre.
"The application site will enhance the local area by re-using brownfield site that has fallen into disrepair, providing much needed affordable accommodation."
Work on the homes is set to start this month, with a completion date of summer 2017 set by bosses.
Mark Tranter, Director of Development for whg said; "We are delighted to be building 42 one, two, three and four bedroomed homes for affordable rent in Darlaston. "The development site is brownfield land and it is great news it can now be used to provide much needed new housing for local people.
"Our development partner Westleigh Partnerships Limited will be moving on site this month, with work due to be completed in Spring/Summer 2017."
Last year, bosses at Walsall Housing Group pledged to continue to build hundreds of new homes in the borough over the next three years, despite the pressures of planned social housing rent cuts.
