Demolish eyesore Walsall pub, say residents
Fed-up residents are calling on a council to order a derelict pub ‘blighting’ an area to be knocked down.
Nearly 1,700 people have signed a petition calling for action over the Brown Jug in Short Heath, Walsall, which has been left to run into ruin over the past five years.
Walsall Council said previous notices ordering the demolition of the pub have been ignored and residents now say it’s up to the council to put an end to their misery.
The petition, which was submitted to the council by ward councillor Bal Chattha, is calling on council bosses to force through a compulsory purchase order, allowing them to take over the site and redevelop it.
Campaigners want Cavan Vets, which has two other branches in the region, to develop a new centre on the site.
The petition is also welcoming any interest from other firms wishing to redevelop the site.
Eyesore
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: “It’s been an eyesore for a long time and it needs to be dealt with and a developer needs to come in and redevelop the site.
“It’s very distressing for locals and it attracts anti-social behaviour and illegal encampments, it adds to the misery of those who don’t deserve it.
“They look to us to step in and deal with these issues, and we will.
“It’s been an uphill struggle with the owner but it’s been stood like this for too long.
“The owner knows we’re not messing around, the council is taking a proactive approach to this issue, but unfortunately there are more and more of these derelict buildings nowadays.
“It seems like an ideal site for the vets and if the community needs one, then we should help provide one, and the site owner should be happy to get some money back for the building.
"Bal has been on the case with this and the sooner it’s sorted the better.
"Local councillors know the people in their wards best, so all credit must go to Bal and Sarah Jane Cooper for the work they’ve been doing on this.”
Council bosses are set to discuss the petition on the vacant land in a meeting next week.
Ward councillor Sarah Jane Cooper said: “For years this site has had kids breaking in and causing a mess, it’s been a hub for anti-social behaviour and is an absolute eyesore.
“The houses opposite have had enough and now the vets that want to move in can finally redevelop the site.”
The owner could not be contacted by the Express & Star.
