Vandal-hit West Smethwick Park depot to be sold in £5m revamp plan

Sandwell Council bosses have revealed the ‘severely vandalised’ former grounds maintenance building at West Smethwick Park will be put on the market.

They said it could become ‘a new housing development’ and will bolster the council’s contribution to the wider park work.

The centrepiece of the revamp will be a two-storey pavilion in the centre of the park, replacing refreshment rooms demolished in the 1980s.

A council report says: “The depot was utilised by grounds maintenance for a number of years, but is no longer used. The site also has a number of shipping containers containing materials used by parks and open spaces.

“The depot has been severely vandalised since Grounds Maintenance vacated the site, all the remaining buildings are in a state of disrepair and require demolition.

“It offers an attractive redevelopment opportunity subject to planning permission and sits close to a main arterial route into Smethwick town centre.”

The park’s Grade II-listed Chance glass memorials, drinking fountain and the airmen’s memorial, will be restored as well as the park’s original entrance. Work is being funded by a £4.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Funds’ Parks for People programme, and around £600,000 from the council.

Its cabinet will discuss final preparations for the project at a meeting on Wednesday.

Bosses said the park’s transformation, which will start next month, will begin by creating space for the new pavilion and removing ‘damaged, diseased and dangerous trees’.

All trees removed will be replaced with new ones planted elsewhere in the park.

Councillor Bill Gavan, Cabinet member for leisure, said: “This project is going to transform West Smethwick Park.

“At the pavilion we will have a cafe, public toilets and space for events, classes and exhibitions. The pool will be improved and we’ll have new outdoor gym equipment, new CCTV and lighting.

“The park will be a safer and more enjoyable place to visit.”