Walsall Council's cabinet is set to approve a revised Local Plan next week that removes allocations for 2,117 homes while adding 319 new homes across four sites. The changes follow Reform taking control from the Conservatives in the local elections, and they leave the borough with a shortfall of 6,083 homes against the government's 20-year target of 21,026.
New housing sites added
The new draft plan adds four sites, contributing a total of 319 homes. The largest is 135 homes on land off Skip Lane. Other additions include 55 homes off Northfields Way in Clayhangar, 52 homes on land west of Clayhangar Lane, and 77 homes on a site off Pool View in Rushall.
The report also highlights potential for 'densification' in urban areas. It suggests up to 1,100 homes could be accommodated in and around Walsall, Willenhall and Bloxwich centres, up to 3,100 more within existing grey belt sites, and 5,300 could be added to green belt sites.
Sites removed from the plan
Several significant sites have been removed from the plan. These include 1,000 homes at Stencills Farm off Mellish Road, 1,070 homes at Black Cock Farm in Brownhills, 155 homes at Harpur Close in Rushall, 177 homes on Odell Road Playing Fields in Bloxwich, and 94 homes at Reedswood Park woodland.
Stencills Farm, which received the tenth highest number of objections in the first draft, was removed due to its proximity to Calderfields on the other side of Mellish Road, where 1,000 homes have already been allocated. The council said the combined sites would overwhelm local infrastructure, and Stencills Farm was not identified as grey belt.
Black Cock Farm, which received the fourth highest number of complaints, was removed due to drainage issues, nearby conservation sites, and its failure to meet grey belt criteria. Harpur Close was removed following an objection from Historic England regarding the impact on the Old Rushall Conservation Area, and it was also not identified as grey belt.
Reasons for other removals
Odell Road was removed due to the loss of an area of open space and the likelihood of poor ground conditions. Reedswood Park woodland, formerly the site of a power station, was removed subject to the outcome of the current planning application for a 1,000-place free school.
The Local Plan acts as a blueprint for prospective developers looking to build homes and employment spaces. All councils must have a local plan in place or risk losing control to central government over which developments can be approved or refused.
Cabinet members will meet on Wednesday, August 26, to approve the latest draft before a six-week public consultation opens on September 14.
