Walsall police HQ to get new lease of life

The sites will be regenerated in a move to create hundreds of job in the town centre.

Council chiefs have earmarked a series of locations suitable for sprucing up or turning into homes, offices and shops.

Walsall's main police station, which is set to close, is among the sites listed for a new lease of life, along with Day Street car park and the old Jabez Cliff factory site in Lower Forster Street, which was burned down and cleared several years ago

The Challenge building used by council workers, Shannons Mill, land at the Boak building in Station Street and the Lex site by the Walsall Waterfront have also been pinpointed for redevelopment in the next five to 10 years.

Council bosses are now holding talks with landowners and developers as many sites are not owned by the authority.

There are no firm plans in place at this stage but regeneration chief Councillor Mohammed Nazir said things were moving fast.

"In terms of redevelopment and regenerating the town, Walsall Council is on the ball," he said. "I would like to see Walsall be a place that is vibrant, buzzing and exciting. To see it is fit for the 21st century.

"We are a pro-active council and looking to the future. The council has got the key role of being an enabler.

"The aim is to make sure in the town centre or within the half mile radius we don't see any derelict sites."

Some sites have been standing empty for a number of years while others are still occupied but are considered suitable for change as part of a long-term plan.

Councillor Nazir said bringing such land into use will have big benefits for the town.

"It would create hundreds of jobs and more investment coming into Walsall town centre," he added.

Walsall police station in Green Lane is due to shut, with officers moving to Bloxwich or operate from a base in the Civic Centre. It comes after a review of West Midlands Police buildings to try and save cash.

The old Jabez Cliff leatherworks and Boak building were gutted by fires and the remains forced to be demolished in the last four years.