Residents living next to a proposed 850-home neighbourhood in Great Barr have voiced strong opposition to the major plans. Developer IM Land and Walton Homes submitted outline proposals last month to transform 42 hectares of green belt land into a new estate featuring a primary school, two community hubs, allotments, and a community orchard. The site, bordered by Aldridge Road, Queslett Road, and Doe Bank Lane, lies entirely within the Great Barr Conservation Area.
Hundreds of Objections During Consultation
During the pre-application consultation period, the developer received hundreds of comments highlighting concerns over the loss of green belt, increased traffic congestion, and pressure on local infrastructure. The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke with residents living adjacent to the site, all of whom oppose the plans.
Pauline Tonks, aged 91, said: “It’s just huge, and another school, we’ve already got four. How are they going to come in and out? I think it’s terrible. I’m sorry I do. I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t think it’ll go ahead in my time.”
Historic Farm Owner Condemns Plan
Gary Walter, owner of the Grade II Listed Doe Bank Farmhouse and buildings directly next to the proposed development, said: “I bought the fields in 1996 thinking it’s green belt. In them days, green belt was a protected area, nobody could build on it. It’s a disgrace. Nobody is listening to the people or the council and the secretary of state can just overrule a refusal with a stroke of a pen and that’s it. This government is the worst lot we’ve ever had. Green belt is green belt and it’s there for a reason. We have got to have green spaces.”
Government Push for Housing Development
In 2025, Labour’s housing minister Steve Reed told developers to ‘build, baby, build’ and vowed to tackle ‘barriers’ within the planning process. Just one year before, Mr Reed spoke of his childhood memories enjoying nature and the countryside, and criticised the Tory government for failing to protect it. Mr Reed has not responded to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the change of stance.
Despite the site being within the green belt and the Great Barr Conservation Area, it has been allocated for housing by Walsall Council in the draft Walsall Borough Local Plan.
Residents Fear Loss of Wildlife and Character
Nisha Balu, another neighbour near the Queslett Road development, said: “We’re not happy at all. It’s a lovely area and we live here purely for the area. There’s animals that come out at night, the deer, it’s all going to go. They’re taking it all away. We decided to live here for the green belt. I hope it gets refused and it stays as it is. I don’t agree with it at all.”
Pauline Williams, 75, added: “I don’t agree with it. We’ve got enough traffic down here so we don’t want it. Whoever has been fighting the plans has been doing a good job but obviously it’s all woken up again. Why do it there? It's countryside. It's lovely around here and it’s a shame. It’s so sad we’re going to see houses poking up.”
Council and Developer Responses
Councillor Nicky Barker, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “The Queslett Road planning application is at an early stage of assessment and will be considered through the council's normal planning process. All comments, consultation responses and relevant planning considerations will be taken into account before any decision is made.”
A spokesperson for IM Land and Homes said: “The site has been identified as being suitable for development in the now withdrawn Black Country Strategy, and the more recent draft Walsall Local Plan. The council will assess the application giving full regard to any representations that are submitted by consultee's and local residents.”
