Brownhills police station to be torn down by mid-June under McDonald's plans

The fast food giant has been given the green light to start the demolition of the Chester Road North building and is anticipating it could disappear by mid-June.

Brownhills Police Station closed in 2014 as part of force-wide cost cutting measures and has remained empty ever since. It was put up for sale in 2020 with an asking price of £650,000.

Permission for the restaurant was granted earlier this year and the development will see more than 65 new jobs created.

Contractor SES Developments said the work will be carried out 7.30am-6pm Monday to Fridays and 8am-2pm on Saturdays.

Work will involve the removal of asbestos first before the building is systematically dismantled and the site cleared.

In the application, SES Developments said: “The site will be secured from general public by a two metre high Heras style security fencing. Appropriate warning signage will be attached to the perimeter fencing.

“A security guard will be employed overnight and during weekends to ensure the site is kept secure and prevent access of unauthorised personnel.

“Wheel washing facilities will be utilised as necessary to prevent the migration of detritus onto the public highway. All burning or fires on site will be strictly prohibited at all times.

“The demolition area will be left flat and level upon completion by the demolition contractor.

“However, there will not be any pause between the demolition works completing and the ground works for the new McDonald’s restaurant starting and works will commence immediately on foundation and drainage installation works.”

During a consultation on the proposed restaurant, almost 300 residents backed the scheme, saying there was a need for one and it would provide a boost for the area.

But not everyone was happy, with some people raising concerns about traffic, pollution, noise and an increase in litter.

The plan was granted approval by Walsall Council’s planning committee in January this year.