Walsall: Aldi backed 'all the way' as landowners thwart new supermarket plan for derelict Brownhills shops

The move to support the supermarket with compulsory purchase orders (CPO) for four remaining properties within Ravenscourt was approved at a cabinet meeting this week.

It is hoped the approved CPO powers will make a ‘speedier and more amicable’ outcome for the remaining four property owners ‘holding back’ the regeneration. Deputy leader councillor Andrew said the council would support remaining businesses in the four properties by relocating them to the High Street in Brownhills.

Aldi already owns most of the properties at the eyesore precinct, and was granted planning permission by Walsall Council for the redevelopment of the site back in 2022. But so far the supermarket has had no luck coming to an agreement with the four remaining owners.

Built in the 60s, Ravenscourt is mostly derelict and has become a target for antisocial behaviour over the years. Councillor Kenneth Ferguson, representing Brownhills ward, said the site has been rife with vermin affecting those living nearby and that there have been regular visits by the police responding to antisocial behaviour.

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Councillor Ferguson said at the meeting on Wednesday: “I know Aldi has made a lot of attempts to come to an amicable agreement with the four shops that are holding us back. I think by agreeing to this proposal, tonight, it may bring a speedier, more amicable outcome with Aldi without having to go through the CPO process.”

Councillor Andrew said: “The CPOs will be directed at the owners of the properties, not the businesses that are the tenants operating within those properties. I’m confident we can work with businesses to retain them and relocate them within Brownhills High Street.

“I hope Aldi will make progress with actually demolishing the bits they can demolish, without having the ownership of the four properties. Make no bones about it, we will back Aldi all the way in order to make this development happen, to create new jobs and opportunities for Brownhills and finally see the back of Ravenscourt.”