Factory area revamp boosted with homes plan

The redevelopment of Willenhall's Locksmith Quarter has taken a major step forward with plans for 109 homes submitted to Walsall Council.

Developer Keepmoat has put forward the full application to redevelop Moat Street, Cemetery Road, Villiers Street and New Hall Street.

If approved, the mostly dilapidated derelict industrial buildings will be replaced by 33 two-bedroom homes, 57 three-bedroom homes and 19 four-bedroom homes, each with two parking spaces.

The 2.06 hectare development outside Willenhall town centre has been divided into five parcels labelled A to E.

Parcel A, on Moat Street, consists of vacant, fire-damaged industrial premises. including the large blue and white Colonial Works building.

Parcel B, on the north side of Moat Street, where demolition works started last month, is home to Moat Street Garage and the locally listed Moat Street Works.

The developer said it would not be possible to retain the locally listed building, but its characteristics will be "reinterpreted" into the homes constructed in its place.

Parcel C is located on the south side of New Hall Street and Parcel D on the north side.

Finally, Parcel E comprises two plots of land either side of Villiers Street along Cemetery Road.

Letters were sent out to 263 addresses in the area. Thirteen feedback forms were returned, all of which either supported the development entirely or to an extent.

Responding to concerns about parking, Keepmoat said on-street parking will be "significantly reduced due to exceeded parking provision" across the development.

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