Department for Education Stays Silent Amid Calls for Alternative School Sites
The Department for Education has refused to comment on whether it will explore alternative locations for a proposed new free school in Walsall, despite mounting opposition from residents, a planning agent, and local MP Valerie Vaz.
Unpopular Choice of Site Sparks Outcry
The planned £50 million facility, which will provide over 1,000 school places for children aged 11 to 18, is set to be built on 13.7 acres of woodland at Reedswood Park. This site selection has proven extremely unpopular, with significant concerns raised about traffic, congestion, and environmental damage.
At a government-hosted meeting on March 17, approximately 70 attendees expressed overwhelming opposition to the project. The Department for Education declined to speak with the Local Democracy Reporting Service during the event and has not issued any statement since.
Residents Propose Viable Alternatives
Opponents of the plan have suggested several alternative sites that could be used instead. These include the vacant Sneyd Comprehensive School on Vernon Way, a council-owned property currently earmarked for 73 homes, as well as the Manor Farm School on King George Crescent or the soon-to-be vacant Forest Comprehensive School on Hawbush Road.
When asked if the department would consider these alternatives should public consultation feedback show majority opposition, the DfE has remained silent. This lack of engagement has fueled perceptions of reluctance to address community concerns.
Community Frustration and Council Constraints
Residents on Reedswood Lane, the proposed vehicular access route for the school, recently reported receiving no correspondence about the plans. Shokt Fazal, vice-chair of Birchills Agenda 21, described the project as ‘cloak and dagger’, highlighting the secrecy surrounding it.
Mark Statham, portfolio holder for education and skills at Walsall Council, explained that the council is ‘restricted’ because the government’s £50 million funding is specifically allocated for constructing a new school, not for redeveloping existing or vacant facilities.
Timeline and Next Steps
The public consultation period for the proposal ends on April 7, with a planning application expected to be submitted the following month. Construction is anticipated to begin later this year, with the school opening in phases starting in 2027.
As the deadline approaches, the Department for Education’s continued silence leaves many questions unanswered, intensifying local discontent over the controversial development.
