New flats and shops proposed for Wednesbury town centre ‘eyesore’ in ‘long overdue’ improvements
Flats and shops would replace a town centre ‘eyesore’ under new plans.
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The scheme, which includes 26 flats and four shops, would be built in Upper High Street, Wednesbury according to a planning application submitted to Sandwell Council.
The long-empty site, next to the iconic Teddy Gray’s sweet shop, was home to a row of shops before they were demolished years ago due to being in an “extremely poor state of repair.”
A similar plan to build 36 flats and four shops in a seven-storey building was put forward in 2023 but later withdrawn to “address concerns raised by the council’s design team” the latest application said.
The height of the building facing the busy High Bullen has been reduced by two storeys.
A statement included with the application by SAP Investments said: “The application site was occupied by a row of retail shop units with residential flats over.
“Over a number of years, these shops closed as the general town centre fell into a decline. One by one the derelict buildings fell into disrepair and became unsafe.
“Drug abuse was practiced in these derelict buildings. The individual owners therefore demolished the properties to remove the danger to health and safety generally, and with the added incentive that it may remove the shelter for those practicing drug abuse.
“Development of this particular site is considered to provide an urgent [and] long overdue improvement to the location.”
If approved, the new shops and flats would mark another improvement in Wednesbury town centre.
Sandwell Council was awarded more than £20m for Wednesbury in government levelling up money in 2023.
The work includes more trees, new paving, lighting, drains, benches and bins in the town centre as well as new CCTV.
A ‘masterplan’ produced by the council and revealed last year showed ambitions for a box park-style venue with shipping containers for independent businesses, food and drink stalls, live music and an outdoor cinema.
The town’s dilapidated Gaumont Cinema, which closed in 2010, could re-open or be converted into an entertainment complex.
The plans also include empty spaces in High Bullen, Union Street and Victoria Street as potential sites for more than 100 new apartments, supported living accommodation, health centres, shops, bars and restaurants.
