Further delay on housing estate decision
A decision on who is responsible for contaminated land on a Walsall housing estate has been pushed back again.
The dispute between Walsall Council and Jim 2 Limited over who is to blame for Stonegate housing estate in Short Heath being built on contaminated land at the site of the former Willenhall Gasworks has been ongoing for 10 years.
The land was identified as contaminated back in 2007 following a three-year investigation and, although a public inquiry held in December 2015 took only two weeks, its findings were sent to the Secretary of State for a final decision to be made– and residents are still waiting for answers.
Walsall North MP David Winnick was promised that a final decision would be given by the end of March, however he has now been told it will be made available on April 6.
Mr Winnick said: "I certainly don't welcome this delay but I hope it is the last time I have to say this.
"If the results aren't published next week, I will be asking for answers again.
"It is unfair on the residents, who are in limbo.
"That being said, we do need this to be done properly."
