Vow to seize derelict buildings left to decay by owners in Walsall
Owners of empty properties left to decay have been warned they will be seized and redeveloped by Walsall Council.
Members of Walsall Council’s cabinet approved plans to use Compulsory Purchase Order powers to tackle privately-owned buildings and land which have fallen into disrepair and become magnets to trouble.
Deputy leader Adrian Andrew said there were a large number of homes and commercial buildings sat empty, adding they were not going to ‘sit by’ and allow it to continue.
He set up the Derelict Sites Task Force to identify sites and look at ways and bringing them forward including negotiation, enforcement and CPO as a last resort.
Taking over derelict properties is a key part of the Willenhall Masterplan, with plans in place to build 107 homes on land at Moat Road and Villiers Street.
Also being targeted are long term vacant industrial premises and former pub buildings, such as The Brown Jug in Short Heath which has been empty for years.
Councillor Andrew said: “This demonstrates the seriousness with which this administration and council is taking derelict sites in terms of giving the go-ahead for the compulsory purchase of derelict sites across the borough.
“We have got too many sites in this borough that are not economically active whether for residential or for employment uses.
“This will stretch not only to the large sites we see in Willenhall but also individual properties that are pepper-potted across this borough that have been derelict and empty for many years that could and should be housing local people.
“I know every elected member has probably got at least one case of a derelict property such as this in their wards.
“This is very much a message to the owners of these properties we are going to build on our successes of the past and take it to the next level.
“We are not going to sit by as an administration or as a council and continue to see these properties derelict and being eyesores and magnets for anti-social behaviour across this borough.
“We have been incredibly successful with the levelling Up Fund in Willenhall town centre to tackle the derelict properties there through the Masterplan.
“And we very much hope this will lead to additional funds to take these properties on. We need them back into use.
“If owners of derelict properties want to start talking to us first, then the door is open.”
