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Wolverhampton council leader's frustration over Beatties redevelopment wait

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www.bbc.co.uk

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A side-on image of Wolverhampton's council leader. He is a middle-aged man sat in a chair in a purple BBC Radio WM studio. A purple microphone which says BBC Radio WM is positioned in front of him.

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Wolverhampton council leader expresses frustration over Beatties redevelopment delays

Overview

Wolverhampton Council leader Stephen Simkins has voiced frustration over the prolonged delays in redeveloping the former Beatties department store, revealing that the council is applying for a compulsory purchase order. During a BBC Radio WM interview, Simkins also addressed city housing shortages, the challenges of stalled private sites, the housing waiting list, and concerns regarding the city's high volume of taxi licences.

Key points

  • The former Beatties department store in Wolverhampton has remained empty since House of Fraser collapsed in 2019.
  • Council leader Stephen Simkins stated that the council is applying for a compulsory purchase order for the Beatties site, which could take between six and 12 months.
  • If successful, the council plans to seek a development partner to create ground-floor retail units and housing above.
  • Simkins noted that Wolverhampton has about 8,000 people on its housing waiting list and highlighted a strong demand for bungalows and family housing.
  • Simkins agreed that the council licenses too many private hire taxis, but cited current legislation that prevents rejecting applications based on drivers operating outside the city.
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