Meeting on Darlaston Multi Purpose Centre and Land Document

I met  with a group of local residents on Monday 5 October 2015 who are concerned about the inclusion of the former Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre site as available for the development of a Travellers’ site in Walsall MBC’s Draft Site Allocation Document.

The document states that the Borough will need 28 new traveller pitches to meet demand, but lists 150 potential new traveller pitches across 11 sites. This means that demand can be met without developing a travellers’ site on the site of the former Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre. As the Site Allocation Document is still a draft it is still possible for the document to be changed.

The meeting was productive and residents were clear that the site would not be appropriate for this use. There were a number of helpful suggestions for use of the Site. I have raised residents’ concerns with the Chief Executive of Walsall MBC who said that anyone with concerns should write in measured terms to Mr David Elsworthy, Head of Planning for Walsall MBC.

Mr Elsworthy’s address is: 2nd Floor, The Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1DG

The Chief Executive has also informed me that the land is currently owned by Walsall MBC but is being advertised for sale although not listed on the Sale of assets on the Councils website.

A further meeting will be held on Wednesday 21 October 2015 at 7.30pm at Darlaston All Active.

The Draft Walsall Site Allocation Document can be viewed here.