Car park to replace landmark Dudley banqueting suite

The derelict Mahoe building in Tower Street has been labelled an eyesore and council bosses hope that once it is knocked down it will make way for a new long-awaited car park.

At a planning meeting on Monday night, chiefs said they hope the demolition work can get under way in the summer, starting with the removal of the building and 'continue with feasibility and design works towards a funding package' to build the car park.

Now given the green light the scheme brings to an end nearly five years of wrangling over the project, which saw previous plans shelved in September.

The car park will feature around 90 spaces and is a scaled-back version of the council's original scheme.

Bosses originally wanted to create a multi-storey car park on the site but were blocked from doing so by Historic England, which raised fears about the impact a large building would have on views.

They instead decided to go-ahead with a ground-level car park rather than scrap the scheme altogether.

Regeneration boss Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said he had considered building below ground but that option would have proved too costly.

But Historic England have now stated the new car park plans and removal of the Mahoe building will be of 'benefit and improvement to the area.'

Councillor Andrea Goddard backed the scheme.

She said: "This building has been used for numerous purposes over the years and nothing seems to have worked. A car park is a sensible and a much better option and will prove very efficient for Dudley town."

The Mahoe building has stood in Tower Street since the start of the 20th century. Over the years it has been used as a nightclub and restaurant and a printworks. In recent years it has been used by the council for storage.

Nearby Baylies' Hall, which is a grade II-listed building, will not be affected by the scheme, council chiefs said.

Councillor Kieran Casey said: "It's important that we get more car parking in the town centre, so people have more option and opportunity to come into Dudley and see what it has to offer.

"It is greatly beneficial to the area, for both a short and long-term impact."