Gornal News & Goings On

NEWS

Planning application for 'Chimneys' site White Chimneys site Those of us who hoped that the recent Gornal parking restrictions battle would be a catalyst for a concerted effort to get proper parking facilities in the village centre will be dismayed to learn that the main potential site for such a development is now the subject of a planning application to build housing on it. The application has been made by the Arcade Pharmacy in Upper Gornal (Eggintons, the owners of the land), and will see apartments and possibly shops being built at the location of the old White Chimneys pub. Whether this is a serious proposal, or a tactic to counter recent calls for the compulsory purchase of the site so that the car parking issue to be settled once and for all, only time will tell. With elections looming on May 1st, our Councillors will have to tread very carefully given the strength of feeling in the village. The Dudley News has been active in the village during the week and we believe that a detailed report will feature on the front page of this Friday's edition.

Next: Election countdown..