Harden, West Midlands

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Harden is an area to the north of Walsall and borders with Bloxwich, Blakenall Heath, Coalpool, Goscote and Rushall. The whole area was part of the industrial revolution, with mining and metal processing being the main industries. Although close to the A34 main road from the Stoke (potteries) to Birmingham, it is still served by canals. A large area has been left as park land for community use. During the 1930's - 1950's there was considerable amount of social housing built.

[edit] Crime and poverty

Harden is one of the most deprived parts of the Walsall borough and also has one of the highest crime rates.

[edit] Redevelopment

Parts of Harden have been plagued by mining subsidence and this has resulted in homes having to be demolished. There was uproar in May 2004 when Bloxwich Housing Trust announced plans to demolish nearly 900 homes in the Harden area. Local residents complained that demolition of the estate would destroy the community spirit, while other residents accused the local authority of deliberately running the area down so they would have to pay as little as possible when buying the privately owned homes under compulsory purchase as part of the redevelopment.

Bloxwich Housing Trust expects to complete the demolition of more than 200 subsided houses in Harden by the end of 2007. New houses have already been built in the area and many more are expected to follow when the demolition is complete.