Residents living on Sandringham Avenue and Arundel Road have expressed relief after enduring years of inconvenience due to an unfinished house located at the junction of the two streets. Government inspectors have now ordered the demolition of the structure. Walsall Council issued an enforcement notice to the owners in 2022, demanding the removal of the four-bedroom, partially built property, which was constructed without proper permission.
Initially, the owners had received permission for a side extension. However, the modest semi-detached home was entirely taken down and replaced with a larger property, causing significant unrest in the community. An appeal against the enforcement notice was made, but the planning inspectorate rejected it earlier this month. Local residents, who had collectively lodged complaints and petitions to the council, now hope this decision will conclude the long-standing issue.
A local resident told a local journalist "Lots of people were outraged by this and put a petition in through Councillor Stacie Elson, who’s been absolutely brilliant. The appeal has been rejected and he’s got to knock it down and we hope it is done properly. It’s been a long three years and I’m pleased although sad it had to come to this. But if they’d gone by the rules they could have been living in the house for two years by now.”
The area is predominantly quiet, with well-maintained semi-detached or terraced homes. Willenhall North councillor Adam Hicken commented, “I think that this is the right decision and it sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate such behaviour. I hope that work is conducted at pace to demolish this eyesore that has impacted neighbouring residents and the amenity of the area.”
Councillor Hicken also acknowledged the efforts of Councillor Stacie Elson, stating, “As a newly elected councillor, she fought hard to ensure both the landowner and the Council were held to account, and now the right outcome has been achieved.” The community is now looking forward to the demolition being carried out promptly and effectively.
