Walsall Council Condemns 'Shocking' Green Belt Housing Approval
A government planning inspector has approved the construction of 115 homes on green belt land in Walsall, a decision that has been met with fierce criticism from local council leaders. The deputy leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Adrian Andrew, described the ruling as 'totally against the wishes of local people' and a significant threat to the borough's green spaces.
Council's Opposition and Public Outcry
Walsall Council originally refused the plans on June 19, 2025, citing inappropriate development on the green belt, increased traffic concerns, and potential harm to wildlife habitats and trees. The refusal was supported by 235 public objections, along with opposition from Walsall and Bloxwich MP Valerie Vaz, statutory consultees, and the council's own planning officers.
Councillor Andrew emphasized that the green belt is 'under significant threat' from such decisions, accusing the government of enabling 'planning by appeal.' He stated, 'It is a shocking decision by the planning inspectorate and totally against the wishes of the Council and importantly local people. Walsall Council will continue to fight applications on the Greenbelt.'
Developer's Defense and Appeal
The applicant, William Davis Homes Ltd, appealed the council's refusal, arguing that the site aligns with the definition of 'grey belt' and addresses a critical housing shortage in Walsall. David Dodge, operations director for the company, noted that the council maintains less than a two-year housing land supply, far below the national requirement of five years.
Dodge explained, 'As an SME, we do not enter into costly planning appeals lightly. However, we are increasingly finding that appeals are the only viable route to address fundamental issues that are delaying the delivery of much-needed homes and the essential infrastructure that supports them.'
Planned Benefits and Future Steps
Following the inspector's ruling, William Davis Homes Ltd plans to proceed with the development, which includes 46 affordable houses and bungalows. The company claims the project will provide a 10 percent net gain in biodiversity and funding for local improvements, such as schools, healthcare, recreation, and public transport access.
Despite these promises, the council remains steadfast in its opposition, vowing to challenge similar applications in the future to protect Walsall's green belt from further development.
