New homes earmarked for former Harvestime Bakery site in latest plan
Walsall's former Harvestime Bakery site, which once employed more than 350 people, will be transformed in homes under new plans.
The latest scheme tabled for the ex-bakery, off Rayleigh Lane and Hollyhedge Lane, in Birchills, would include 88 new homes including flats and houses.
It came as planning officers warned the site, which has long been cleared, is in danger of attracting anti-social behaviour.
Officers recommended councillors approve the plans at a Walsall Council planning meeting on January 9.
The plans feature 18 flats, 25 two bedroom houses, 41 three bedroom houses and four four bedroom homes.
Planning officers, in a report to the committee, said: "This site is in need of development - as a vacant site it is in danger of becoming a focus for antisocial behaviour.
"It is ideally located to provide much needed homes close to amenities in Walsall town centre, and this use would be in keeping with the local area and Walsall Council’s planning policy."
Plans to build 80 homes on the land were initially approved back in 2016 but have failed to come to fruition.
The old bakery, which was operated by Harvestime Bakeries and closed a number of years ago, was once one of Walsall's biggest employers.
A bakery had been on the site since the 1800s.
Harvestime went into administration twice in 2005.
It was bought by former directors John Bridson and Phil Taylor, rescuing the company when it first went into administration after parent firm Rathbones collapsed.
After going into administration for a second time, the bakery was rescued through an agreed takeover package by Maple Leaf Bakery UK, securing 250 jobs after more than 100 workers were made redundant.
But the bakery closed in 2012 after the company announced it was leaving the sliced bread market, with the 230-or-so staff being encouraged to apply for posts at the Perfection Foods bakery which opened elsewhere in the town.
The current planning application also includes landscaping and 164 car parking spaces.
Councillors will consider the plans at a meeting which start at 5.30pm at Walsall Council House.
