Homes and shops could be built on disused Sandwell car park

It was hoped that the former market traders' 100-space car park in the town centre would be sold by May 6, but after an offer fell through it is now back on the market until June 24.

Councillor Pete Allen, who represents the Great Bridge ward, said that a residential development would be preferred on the site but they are open to all offers – including retail.

He explained: "The offers came in at the beginning of May and it appeared that one was accepted but more information was asked for and unfortunately it fell through, so now we are back on the market and in the bidding process until June 24.

"Even though a residential development would be preferred on the site we are open to all offers subject to the planning."

The car park shut to the public in 2008, with plans to build apartments and a new £5 million health centre proposed within the last decade both falling through.

Speaking about the previous plans, Councillor Allen continued: "We were moments away from something being accepted with the health centre and everything was in place so it was really sad at the time.

"But this is a prime site, even a mixture of a retail and residential development would be great.

"The area needs something like this.

"Hopefully some bids will come in now and we can finally move forward."

A development statement by Sandwell Council, which says the site could accommodate 14 dwellings fronting Great Bridge, was prepared in May.

A neighbouring footbridge to the site, which leads to the Asda superstore, Poundland and McDonalds, is protected for 99 years under a repairing and insuring lease put in place in 1997. In recent years the site has been hit by a spate of vandalism and travellers setting up camp there. Bollards and fencing were put in place to protect it from further damage.

A car park, under cover, was built further up the high street for market traders and visitors to use.

However, last year retailers on the high street said their businesses had struggled since the car park was shut – with some saying trade has dropped by as much as 30 per cent.