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Busy weekend again as we get to grips with the issues that concern you

by Ian Shires on 10 April, 2016

Spent time over the weekend helping out in Short Heath on Stonegate, Brackendale and Lodge Farm as well as working on issues in Willenhall North which will be coming up in meetings this week.

TC MeetingResidents we spoke to on the Stonegate Estate were understandably concerned about just when the outcome of the Public Enquiry would be known. Truth is that no one really knows as the Tory Minister wants site of it before it goes public. You have to ask the question why? Doesn’t he trust his inspector?

One or two residents felt that the council should take responsibility and we have to say that we have some sympathy with people on this. We had that argument with the Chief Executive in the early days of the campaign but there was no way that the Tory administration on Walsall Council was going to budge on that one.

The latest we have is that it is likely to take some time as it is extremely complex. That might be the case but how would the Minister like to be living in with this uncertainty?

160129 HMOUp on the Brackendale the talk was all about the continuing unauthorised use at the former Doctor’s surgery on Stroud Avenue in the form of bedsits. The owners, J9, were defending a couple more unauthorised uses at the Planning Committee during the week.

“Have to say I have not experienced such arrogance!” said Lib Dem Cllr Ian Shires “J9 find the Planning process to long so use that as the reason for just going ahead and doing it anyway.” Ian slammed into the owner at the meeting but the planning process as modified by the Tory Government is all about making it easier for developers to provide accommodation. No matter whether it’s in the right place or whether there is the infrastructure in place to support it such as schools, GP’s and good transport links..

The future of this site depends on the outcome of  a report from the appeals process which rests with the Minister.

Bus StationOver on Lodge Farm people were very concerned about changes to the bus routes across the area. Took time out to explain that we have been pressing National Express West Midlands (NXWM) for a meeting to discuss these concerns and to put forward some ideas of our own developed from talking to bus users. That meeting will be taking place shortly. CENTRO will also be involved.

NXWM proposed changes to bus routes is a cause for concern for people right across the area. The planned withdrawal of the 28 and 40 routes makes no sense to bus users what so ever and the people living on The Beacon and Allens Rough Estates want to know just who gave NXWM the idea that they wouldn’t miss having links to The Square and Willenhall. Likewise residents on the Poets Estate off Wood Lane are concerned about the loss of links to Sainsbury’s and Wolverhampton with the proposal to take the 69 service off their estate.

These points and more we will be putting to NXWM and CENTRO when we meet up.  We’ll update you on the outcomes.

 

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