Calls for 'dangerous' derelict factory site to be flattened (From Halesowen News)
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Calls for 'dangerous' derelict factory site to be flattened
10:21am Monday 20th August 2012 in News
Cllr Hilary Bills with the broken section of wall which backs onto Hope Street children's play area which Dudley Council fenced over. 341260L.
CALLS have been made for an eyesore Halesowen factory site to be bulldozed after a hole was made in a section of wall which backs onto a children’s play area.
The derelict Sandhu furniture factory on Malt Mill Lane has become a magnet for drug users and youths who start fires and has been a thorn in residents’ sides for 13 years.
Recently a hole was made in a wall which backs onto Hope Street park leading to a number of youngsters getting into the dangerous site which is thought to contain asbestos.
Dudley Council put a metal fence over the broken section of wall in response to a request from ward councillor Hilary Bills.
Cllr Bills said she and residents are worried about the safety of local youngsters and would like to see the site cleared.
She said: “The hole in the wall meant it was even easier for scrap metal thieves, drug takers and most worryingly children to gain access.
“I requested the council take action to protect the public and most important of all the children who use the play area.
“Dudley Council has done its part in trying to keep residents safe it is now the owner’s turn to act responsibly and make the factory site safe.
“Mine is to protect users of Hope Street park and help the residents of Malt Mill Lane get rid of this eyesore.”
David Jones, of Malt Mill Lane, which the site backs on to said: “It’s an utter disgrace. I wake up every morning and see that out of my window. It closed 13 years ago and we are still staring at it.”
The 83-year-old retired HGV driver said: “I went to Cornwall the other week and you can imagine how I felt having to come back to this.”
Ralph Tromans, of Malt Mill Lane, said he had seen children of all ages coming out of the site after the hole was made in the wall.
He said: “You can see writing of the word asbestoses danger keep out and there is a lot of scrap debris left there which should have been taken away.”
Councillor Shaukat Ali, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Council officers are involved in an ongoing investigation and are working with the landowners to resolve matters."
