Housing site works begin despite no demolition

Work to prepare land for new homes to be built in Willenhall has begun, despite promises of demolition work not being fulfilled, a council said.

In November 2024, Walsall councillor Adrian Andrew said demolition would start in the Moat Street area of the town in January, but derelict buildings still remain standing.

The council said preparation works commenced in October, but work was still needed to clear rubble and remove asbestos before any demolition can take place.

Freedom of Information figures in June revealed that nearly £1.7m had been spent on the scheme, even though buildings remained standing on the site, which is earmarked for 107 homes.

The project, named by Andrew as the Locksmith's Quarter, is part of the Willenhall Masterplan with the homes being built by developer Keepmoat.

Several derelict buildings around Moat Street, Villiers Street, New Hall Street, Stafford Street and Temple Bar are all set to be replaced by the homes.

In a recent update, Andrew, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, said residents would see buildings come down at the "end of October, early November", but this has not happened.

But the council has now said buildings will be demolished once sites have been "prepared and made safe".

"Keepmoat Homes began preparation works on site in Willenhall from October 2025," the council said.

"This work has included survey works, clearing up areas of land to remove debris, erecting hoardings and disconnecting utilities to the buildings.

"Major demolition work takes time and care, especially given the derelict nature of some of the properties."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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