Jobs boost as redevelopment approved in Willenhall

The former Ductile Stourbridge Cold Mills site in Charles Street has descended into a poor condition after laying empty for a number of years.

But Walsall Council’s planning committee gave hopes of a new lease of life for the area by approving proposals for a van sales and hire company and a new haulage yard.

The new van hire and sales business, put forward by Dawson Group Vans Ltd, will see up to 20 new full and part-time jobs being created.

D and K Chilled Transport Ltd wants to open the haulage yard next to Dawson Group and its proposal would see 26 new jobs become available.

The former steel rolling mill operated in the area for a number of years before Ductile Stourbridge went into administration around five years ago and the former factory demolished.

Some minor concerns have been raised regarding both applications including land ownership, the potential loss of a tree on the site boundary, pollution control issues, HGV access and operating hours.

But planning officers said these could be overcome with conditions being agreed to ensure the redevelopment can take place without negatively impacting neighbouring properties.

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird: “I would hate to think that a tree would stop a business coming forward to create employment, especially post Covid.

“I drove past it today, it is a large site that has been redundant for some time.”

Councillor Garry Perry: “It has been a site that has been in poor condition due to dereliction for many many years.

“On my way to work, I’ve seen that site and always wished and waited for this day to come when it was bought back into some use.”

Planning officer Alison Ives said: “This is in an employment area so we fully support it.

“It was formerly Stourbridge Ductile Rolling Mills so it has been heavy industry in the past.”

She added none of the trees on site had preservation orders on them but that and all other issues raised would be resolved with conditions.