Council bosses will ask the government for permission to use extra powers to gain control of eyesore land in the borough and bring it back into use.

Dudley Council’s cabinet will be asked to back a move which would see the authority write to the Secretary of State asking for approval to use Compulsory Purchase Orders as a last resort.

The authority has set aside a £1 million budget to bring back into use a number of sites across the borough which have been derelict for a number of years. It has seen success after taking control of land in Colley Gate, Cradley, prior to the planned demolition of a row of derelict shops and redevelopment for eight new homes.

But other sites on the council’s hit list have proved more difficult to procure – and bosses now want the extra powers to deploy if landowners continue to be uncooperative. Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the council, said:

“We have always insisted on a brownfield-first policy when it comes to developments in our borough, to protect our green belt.

“To that end, in 2020 we identified around 20 sites that had been derelict and out of use for an extended period with an objective to buy the land and bring them back into use.

“We have made great strides with a number of sites on that list, but there are others that have been more difficult to move forward.

“Our next move now is restating our position that we want to see derelict land in the borough to be brought back into use. And if necessary, we will write to the government asking for permission to use CPO powers as an absolute last resort.

“We must bring these sites back into use by hook or by crook – they have been eyesores and blights on the landscape for people for far too long.”

The matter will be discussed at the next meeting of Dudley Council’s ruling cabinet, which will take place on Wednesday December 13 from 6pm at Dudley Council House on Priory Road.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.