Battle nearly over at former pub sites
A long running battle to get the site of two former pubs cleaned up may be nearly over after owners promised an MP they would carry out the work required.
Prosecution cases against the owners of the Eagle and Leathern Bottle pubs on Creswell Crescent were being prepared by Walsall Council, forcing them to take responsibility for the eyesore sites.
MP David Winnick, who says he was ready to raise the issue over the lack of a clean up at the pubs in the House of Commons, has now had assurances from owners that any materials left on the sites will be properly removed and disposed of.
He said: "I wrote last Thursday to SEP Properties, the owners of the two former pub sites on the Mossley estate, the Eagle and the Leathern Bottle, to express on behalf of residents acute dissatisfaction.
"In my letter I said I had very much in mind to raise the issue in the House of Commons.
"I have for some considerable time been concerned over this matter, since sites became increasingly dilapidated and vandalised.
"In due course the Leathern Bottle, long after its use as a public house, was demolished, though much of the rubble was left.
"This was all the more inexcusable, since it is only yards away from a primary school, namely the Jubilee Academy.
"As for the Eagle, not only has there been no demolition, but the building, as expected, has only become even more dilapidated and unsightly.
I wrote to the owners saying I found it very difficult to understand how the situation been allowed to continue for so long, and the contempt for the residents.
"My constituents will heave a sigh of much relief if, at long last and after all this time, action is taken by the company which should have been taken a long time ago.
"There is simply no excuse for the way this has been dealt with."
A letter seen by the Express & Star from the owners to Mr Winnick reads: "I have arranged for contractors to attend both of the sites in order to remove and properly dispose of any building materials and/or fly tipped waste.
"Once all of the rubbish has been removed and we are satisfied that both of the sites are in a much improved state, we will secure the same to prevent any unauthorized access."
The representative has said to Mr Winnick that he will be given an update by March 29.
In November, travellers set up camp outside The Eagle, just weeks after Walsall Council was granted an injunction that allowed it to move travellers from 12 sites quickly.
