Youth shouting out for new centre but residents are angry

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a youth centre in Chuckery on the site of a former bakery moved a step closer this week.

Walsall Council's cabinet agreed last Wednesday to develop the area in Paddock Lane and it will now move forward to the planning consultation stage.

However, residents and businesses in the area have voiced opposition to the proposal which they say is inappropriate for a number of reasons.

They say the site at the corner of Paddock Lane and Holtshill Lane is too small, too close to a pub and off-licence and is also located on a dangerous bend in the road.

In addition complaints have been made that there has been a lack of consultation on the new site, which was purchased from Accord Housing, after residents rejected proposals for a youth centre at Chuckery Green.

Residents and businesses expressed their anger to the Advertiser yesterday about the location of the planned £500,000 facility ahead of a public meeting held at the Spring Cottage pub in Holtshill Lane last night.

Jayne Taphouse, a resident in Paddock Lane said she was "totally against the proposal".

"The site is not big enough and it is on a dangerous bend," the 51-year-old childcare provider said. "I think if it came here there would be an increase in vandalism, litter and anti-social behaviour.

"Letters went out three days before the cabinet meeting. They have paid lip service to the consultation and should have called a meeting."

Shiggs Singh, landlord of the Spring Cottage pub, said none of his customers backed the centre plans.

"We all think it is going to cause problems," he said. "I don't think it is appropriate to have it here. There is an off licence next door and a pub opposite.

"It is not a good idea at all. It will bring more problems to the area."

Shopkeeper Malcolm Hunt of M&D Convenience Stores added: "There is nobody for it at all. We don't want the centre if it is going to cause trouble."

Cabinet member and St Matthew's ward councillor, Mohammed Arif, said the council had approved the site but it was now up to the development control committee to consider.

Cllr Arif said: "Residents who have concerns need to make their point in the planning consultation before the matter goes before the planning committee.

"We had a consultation day in May and quite a few people informed us of the old bakery as a suitable building to use for the proposed youth centre.

"We need to serve youths in Chuckery and it needs to be within walking distance.

"These are facilities that the residents and youths of Chuckery have been shouting out for."