Derelict former Willenhall factory and church to become flats

The closed down Global Christ Assembly church, formerly the Central Patternmaking Company, on Stringes Lane, Willenhall, has lay derelict for a number of years.

Now planning chiefs have agreed to turn the troubled site into 12 studio flats.

After the Central Patternmaking Company left the site, it fell into ruin, being targeted by arsonists before being used as the base for a sophisticated cannabis factory, where more than 400 plants were found.

The Global Christ Assembly took over the building in 2012, investing £40,000 to try and revitalise the site but they left in 2014, leaving the building to fall into disrepair again.

Plans to transform the site into studio flats, originally submitted by Sunrise Properties in July 2016, have now been given the go ahead by council bosses.

Councillor Sean Coughlan, leader of Walsall Council and representative of the Walsall South ward, said: "There is a number of buildings in disrepair in this part of Willenhall and I am glad that this will bring an unused building back to life.

"There is a history of trouble at this site and it is a blot on the landscape.

"We had hoped that was put in the past when the church moved in but I have to say I didn't have much interaction with them before they left, it was a very short lived thing.

"On one hand I actually think we have too many flats in the area but despite this it is good for the area that this derelict site can now become of use."

More than 20 firefighters were called to a suspected arson attack at the building in October 2009 and crews were again called to premises in March last year after suspected arsonists struck.

About 20 per cent of the building had been damaged during the blaze last year.

In May 2010, more than 400 cannabis plants were discovered in the derelict building when police forced their way in.

Specially-made wooden rooms were fitted out with lamps and there were signs the illegal process was to expand across the building.

In a statement attached to the planning application requesting the permission to transform the site, developers said:" We are all too aware of the shortage of housing accommodation within the country as a whole, and Walsall is no different.

"There is obviously a need and a desire to bring this building and site into use.

"There is also a need to improve the visual amenity of the site and a comprehensive refurbishment of the grounds which are currently attracting anti-social behaviour, vandalism, fly tipping and rodent infestation."