WV11.co.uk » Wednesfield Aces Cycle Speedway Club

Ashmore Park garages saga drags on

James — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:00:07 +0000

Six months after WV11.co.uk first raised the issue, the fate of a set of derelict garages in Ashmore Park continues to drag on after the local Tenants and Residents Association launched a petition against demolition.

On the 1st June, Wolverhampton Homes (who owns the site) was granted possession of the garages by a judge at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court who ruled that the remaining occupant who refused to leave had 14 days (until 15th June) to vacate the premises.

According to a recent Wolverhampton Homes press release, constructive dialogue with Ashmore Park Tenants and Residents Association about the garages is ongoing.

Mark Henderson, Director of Housing, said: “We are grateful for the Ashmore Park Tenants and Residents Association’s assistance and hope to be able to confirm the outcome of the further consultation shortly.”

Meanwhile, the garages slip further and further into disrepair, with visitors to the Wednesfield Aces Speedway track left facing the sight of every unit having been smashed open and filled with rubbish.

What do you think should happen to the garages?

Court grants possession for derelict garages in Ashmore Park

James — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:26:55 +0000

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

Wolverhampton Homes took legal action against a former tenant who is refusing to vacate the garages at Griffiths Drive, behind Ashmore Park.

The row of near-derelict garages has been an eyesore for people living and working nearby for three years. It is near to the cycle track which attracts people from all over the country.

During that time Wolverhampton Homes has helped all the previous tenants find new garages to let and served notice that the garages were to be demolished.

The organisation, which manages Wolverhampton City Council’s homes, shops and garages, wrote to the remaining occupant advising that it is 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.

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 local people 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.”

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.

“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.”

Derelict garages take a step closer to demolition

James — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:01:32 +0000

UPDATE: According to the Demolish and Dismantle blog, the Armac Group will be carrying out the demolition once the garages are free of tenants at the end of March. WV11 will be covering the demolition, so expect photos and/or video.

WV11 recently reported on the fate of a set of derelict garages which border Ashmore Park and Wednesfield Aces Cycle Speedway Club after reporting the problem on Fix My Street.

After being contacted by Wv11, Wolverhampton Homes Communications Manager, Kate Hughes told us: “The Garages are set to be demolished soon and we are currently negotiating with the 2 remaining tenants, but until alternative locations are found we can’t demolish them”.

Since our original article, the story has been picked up by local paper the Express & Star and today we were contacted by Wolverhampton Homes who told us that vacation notices have been served to the two remaining tenants. These orders are due to expire on the 25th March and once this has happened a demolition order will follow.

We have asked Wolverhampton Homes for more information on what will happen to the land the garages currently stand on as they form part of the perimeter fence of the park and will report on any news we receive.