STOURBRIDGE MP Margot James has pledged to chair a public meeting on the plans for the Longlands site.

Persimmon Homes have submitted plans for a housing development on the derelict Longlands School site, which would see 62 new homes built.

Ms James has welcomed the proposals to build homes on a disused college site blighted by vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

She has also called on Dudley Council to ensure that green space adjacent to the site is brought back into community use.

Ms James said: “I welcome this news, which has been a long time coming.

"The development would see the building of much needed homes in our area, including affordable homes, and solve issues of anti-social behaviour at the site with which local residents have been dealing for many years.

“A full public consultation will be conducted and I have been pressing Persimmon Homes to engage with the community during this process.

"I will also chair a public meeting to allow local residents to come and meet the developers and discuss these plans in further detail.

“I know residents are concerned about green space in the area, so I call on the Council to ensure that the land between the former school site and Albert Street is maintained for the benefit of the local community.

"I will be working to ensure that any development will help contribute towards this aim.”