Walsall Council has submitted a significant application to convert a temporary traveller site into a permanent facility, reigniting a long-standing local debate.
Controversial History and Political Backlash
The Pleck Transit Site located off Narrow Lane currently provides space for six caravans and twelve cars, complete with essential amenities including a fresh water tap and separate male and female shower facilities. The site's origins date back to 2021 when Walsall Council cabinet members decided to allocate this disused land between Darlaston Road and Old Pleck Road for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community.
This decision immediately faced fierce opposition from local representatives. Ward councillors for Pleck and MP Valerie Vaz accused the ruling Conservative administration of making a political decision by selecting Pleck over other potential locations within the borough. The controversy escalated to the point where the decision was called in for scrutiny at a committee meeting the following month.
Community Response and Legal Obligations
During heated discussions, representatives from the GRT community expressed frustration, stating they felt unwelcome anywhere in the borough and believed the reaction would have been similar regardless of the chosen location. Council leader Mike Bird strongly refuted claims of political motivation, insisting that Pleck represented the only suitable council-owned site capable of fulfilling their legal obligation to provide such a facility.
Public opposition continued to grow, with over 2000 people signing a petition against the planning application once it had been formally submitted. Despite this significant local resistance, Walsall Council eventually granted permission for the facility to operate on a temporary basis for three years.
Path to Permanent Status
With the original temporary permission now expired, council officials have taken the decisive step of applying to make the approval permanent. The application seeks to regularise the site's status and provide a long-term solution for the GRT community in Walsall.
A final decision on whether the Pleck Transit Site will become a permanent fixture is expected to be made next month, bringing closure to a debate that has divided local opinion for several years.
