Proposed Wolverhampton leisure scheme being reconsidered by council after spending £1.3m
A council has been accused of 'throwing around' £1.3 million of taxpayers' money on a proposed leisure scheme which is now being reconsidered.
Wolverhampton Council has demolished seven shops and bought the Neville Garratt Centre for the proposed 'box space' between Cleveland Street and Bell Street – but has since said it is now looking at other sites.
The £6 million leisure scheme was due to open this year, but that has now been thrown into doubt after the council said it was reconsidering the plans.
Councillor Paul Singh accused the council of 'incompetence' in starting the work before a clear plan had been agreed for the site.
But council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins said, far from being wasted, the investment had attracted considerable interest from companies wishing to develop the site.
"They have spent all that money on that site for something that is not now going to happen there," said Councillor Singh, the Conservative member for Penn ward.
"It's just incompetence. The amount of money that continues to get thrown around by those in charge is truly an insult to those who live in this area.
