Call for review over Cavendish House scheme after cinema axed
Calls have been made for a review into £82million plans to regenerate Dudley town centre.
The Portersfield development, earmarked for land along Duncan Edwards Way, was set to include homes, a cinema, a large supermarket and other leisure outlets and shops.
Part of the project would also see the eyesore office block Cavendish House demolished.
But St Thomas’s Ward Councillor Shaukat Ali fears Dudley Council is “watering down” the scheme after it was revealed a large supermarket and cinema would no longer be included.
He is concerned over where the project is heading after he and fellow ward councillors were not consulted about the changes.
Councillor Ali said: “Myself and fellow ward councillors in the St Thomas’ Ward have been involved predominantly in shaping and developing plans for the scheme.
"Over time we have bent over backwards to get this scheme off the ground and supported the developer.
“My worry is that this latest scheme is being watered down. We haven’t being consulted on these changes.
"The last we heard was that the development would feature retail, leisure and housing.
"That is what was put forward.
"Now the cinema has been removed from the plans what’s to say other leisure elements won’t be removed because of Dudley’s latest leisure centre in Flood Street? Where is this scheme heading?
"What we want is a review of what is being consulted on in the scheme and make sure it isn’t altered dramatically.”
Dudley Council was approached for comment.
The project received a boost when West Midlands Mayor Andy Street stepped in with funds for the tower block’s demolition.
The Combined Authority will pay £700,000 which will is set to see Cavendish House demolished in the first half of this year.
Another part of Dudley’s regeneration will see the existing bus station revamped.
