Labouring at The Manor House

It's been a while since I last blogged about Aldridge Manor House but last night I noticed something in Walsall Council's planned and now agreed capital expenditure programme for 2018/19 that fair blew my breath away!

As many of you know following the closure of the much loved youth club, the Manor lay empty for a little while and is currently occupied by residential tenants keeping it safe from vandalism.

It appears however that Labour led Walsall Council has some big plans for the Manor and the land that surrounds it and are to make a whopping investment in the building and therefore Aldridge.

The detail I happened upon lies on pages 7, 54 and 74 in this LINK. Basically in the budget passed by full council last night, £4,766,000 has been earmarked for capital expenditure during 2018/19 and a further £83,000 in 2019/20 for "Aldridge Manor House – development into a commercial opportunity for the Council to fund and own, and one that will create a rental income stream for the Council in addition to the generation of business rates and council tax". This will be funded by the Council borrowing £4.77 million in 2018/19 and £0.08 million in 2019/20.

The figures are mind boggling and so I attempted to gain some clarification on Facebook last night. Unfortunately, fine details of the proposal are commercially sensitive however, Councillor Lee Jeavons, Portfolio Holder for  Regeneration did kindly answer my queries and he had this to say:

"The development is a mixed use development which would be a great addition to Aldridge. There will hopefully be a Quality retailer, living space and a restaurant type development. The investment involves some land assembly but will provide us with rent, business rates and council tax and bring back into use a grade 2 listing hopefully in a sympathetic way, that adds to Aldridge and benefits the borough as a whole"

He added:

"The outline of this project is available in cabinet papers but the fine detail on finances is subject to private session and I cannot comment on that. Planners have been involved on pre-app advice and I believe that this scheme is an addition to Aldridge."

I have tried to find the appropriate papers on the Council's web site but have been unable to locate any further information.

I have to admit I have some reservations about how the land surrounding the Manor House will be developed however, I am positive that any restoration of the actual House, will be sensitive due to its Grade II listed status. Hopefully, all will become clear as more information and plans are published. I also admit that although I may be a little skeptical until more information is known, I am also impressed that a Labour led Walsall Council is making these plans and investing in Aldridge. 

I suppose this is a similar type of scheme that the Labour led Council came up with for the Saddlers Centre in Walsall. I just wish more information about what is planned was available in order that the incessant rumour mill that surrounds The Manor House would cease. Watch this space!