Court grants possession for derelict garages in Ashmore Park

Wolverhampton Homes has been granted possession of garages in Wednesfield which have been a magnet for antisocial behaviour.

The organisation, which manages Wolverhampton City Council’s homes, shops and garages recently took legal action against a former tenant who is refusing to vacate the garages at Griffiths Drive, behind Ashmore Park.

As previously reported, the row of near-derelict garages has been an eyesore for people living and working nearby for three years and are near to the Wednesfield Aces cycle speedway track which attracts people from all over the country.

Wolverhampton Homes has helped all the previous tenants find new garages to let and served notice that the garages were to be demolished. In April they wrote to the remaining occupant advising that they were requesting a court order to take possession of the garages. Despite repeated contact and offers to let similar garages just minutes away, the former tenant had not vacated.

A judge at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court ruled yesterday (Tuesday) that Wolverhampton Homes must take possession of the garages and the remaining occupant now has 14 days (until 15 June) to vacate the garages. Once the garages have been vacated, the process of demolition will begin.

Wolverhampton Homes is in consultation with the local community and businesses about the future use of the site, but one suggestion is to establish free parking spaces for residents and shoppers.

Mark Henderson, Director of Housing at Wolverhampton Homes, said: “We are pleased that the court came down in our favour and that we can now improve the area for the benefit of all tenants, leaseholders and residents in the area.”

“We share their frustration at how long the process has taken but now we look forward to the area being used more effectively for the community.”

Related stories:

Local eyesore facing demolition? (8th Feb 2010)
Derelict garages take a step closer to demolition (2nd March 2010)
Legal action over derelict garages in Ashmore Park (22nd April 2010)