RESIDENTS in Headless Cross have identified a number of old buildings they want developed to improve the area.

The chapel and shops on Birchfield Road have been put forward to the Land Hero organisation who encourage local people to identify potential development sites within their communities and how they could be put to use.

“Almost everyone will have noticed a closed down pub, a disused factory, or a long forgotten car park in their town, and passed it thinking, "I wish someone would do something about that!"

West Midlands-based Land Hero says that while building on Green Belt is necessary, it can take a long time to obtain planning permission and develop,and is often divisive.

“There are many brownfield or derelict sites out there that could be redeveloped in a much shorter timescale, which would satisfy our immediate need for housing and employment.”

By encouraging people to suggest sites it helps local councils to build ‘brownfield registers’ which they often don’t have the resources to do themselves.

“There are thousands of redundant properties and sites out there that could be developed, but they are slipping through the cracks because they’re not being identified as eligible sites by the local authority.

“We need local people to highlight these sites, to bring desperately needed housing and employment to our local areas, and to create brighter, happier communities.”

To be a ‘Land Hero’ and nominate a site or building, register via the LandAttic.com/land-hero website. The team require a photo of the site, and a location which can be submitted via the online portal.

Once this information has been received, Land Hero will kickstart the process of identifying its potential.

It can then be highlighted for potential developers to bring the sites back into housing and employment uses.