Stourbridge MP Margot James demands urgent meeting with Birmingham Metropolitan College bosses over fire-hit Longlands School site

The derelict former school and art college site, owned by Birmingham Metropolitan College, has suffered a series of fires and vandalism attacks since it was mothballed in 2011 – leaving anxious residents nearby fearing for their safety of their own properties.

On Saturday night (October 8) firefighters were called out yet again to the site, in Brook Street, after reports the old gymnasium had gone up in flames.

A crew from Stourbridge and response vehicle from Brierley Hill spent around an hour at the scene, after being alerted just after 7pm, and a spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service later confirmed the incident was being treated as suspicious.

Taking to Facebook to vent their frustrations over the state of the site residents called on Stourbridge MP Margot James for help regarding security and the lack of action on the site which was looking like it was going to be developed in a deal with Cameron Homes until the summer when it was confirmed the developer had pulled out after undertaking preparatory works and surveys.

Ms James, who has been keeping residents up to date with the site through meetings and letters, said after hearing about the latest blaze: “I have spoken to councillors and local residents about the fire at the Longlands site over the weekend.

“I am calling for an urgent meeting with the police, local councillors, BMet and Dudley Council to discuss the security of the site.

“This is an issue I have always taken very seriously and it formed part of my discussions with BMet and Dudley Council at our last meeting.

“I will update residents further once the meeting has taken place, and will continue to do all I can to secure a new developer for the site.”

Dudley councillor Glenis Simms said on Facebook the situation at the site was “getting dangerously out of hand there now” but so far BMet bosses have refused to comment on the matter.