New homes planned for Walsall site blighted by drug dealing and prostitution
A car park and garage block blighted by drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and even prostitution is now set to have homes built on it.
Walsall Council has granted permission for the Accord Group to develop five apartments on the site at Sister Dora Gardens in Caldmore.
While the garages have been disused for over a decade problems with crime have persisted to the despair of nearby residents.
It is hoped the scheme will eradicate the issues once and for all.
The plans were originally recommended for approval by Walsall's planning committee earlier this year but more detailed plans have now been officially signed off by planning bosses, with Accord now given confirmation that the work can go ahead.
Details over revised parking arrangements, footway provision, drainage, public lighting and traffic speed rules have been finalised with work now set to go ahead.
Planning documents submitted by Accord state: "The garage block was closed in order to remove the risk for antisocial activity occurring within and around the garage block and improve the environment for the surrounding residents.
"Issues with drug dealing, prostitution and ASB have been cited by housing officers as the main offences and the reason for the closure.
"Whilst the closure was an initial deterrent, over the last 10 years the garage block still provides a location for crime to occur.
"In order to reduce ASB further it was then proposed to remove the garage block altogether and provide housing in its place."
The Caldmore area has had trouble with prostitution in the recent past, with police patrols in September last year leading to 15 warning and five second warnings dished out to sex workers, while five men were issued with kerb crawling notices.
Police had promised to clampdown on prostituion in the area in the aftermath of those patrols, following on from increasing complaints in August from residents in Caldmore, who reported discarded sexual protection and associated drug paraphernalia littering the area.
Wednesbury Road and others leading off it were identified as 'hot spots', which is where the Sister Dora Gardens is located.
Councillor Aftab Nawaz, who represents the area, said he had objected to the plans being approved due to concerns from residents over traffic and visibility for residents already living in the area.
He said: "I understand the issues regarding anti-social behaviour but that is not just at this one site and I know that residents weren't entirely happy with these plans.
"Traffic is already bad in this area but I also understand that there are concerns over the visibility impact this will have for people who already have homes nearby.
"I have backed residents previously but the plans will now go ahead so I hope it does end the anti social behaviour."
