MP lodges objection to Walsall luxury housing scheme

Developer CT Planning Limited has submitted an application to the borough's planners for the houses, which would have at least four bedrooms, to be built on grazing land at neighbouring Calderfield Farm.

But Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South, said there could be ' no justification' to build the 14 new properties on the green belt, off Buchanan Road, when other derelict sites were available.

She said it would also severely reduce the openess of views from Walsall Arboretum.

It comes after Friends of the Earth claimed the scheme would undermine the look and character of the town's flagship park.

Along with the new homes there would be 56 car parking spaces.

Planning documents state that the properties would be 'aspirational dwellings'.

But Ms Vaz said the development was contrary to local and national planning policy which only permits development in the greenbelt in 'very special circumstances'.

She added: "The site of the proposed development is currently farmland. It contributes to openness around Walsall Arboretum, particularly views to the north from areas of the Arboretum which border Broadway North.

"This openness must be protected for everyone in the borough to enjoy."

The plans state that the quality of housing would be would similar to properties in the Little Aston and Four Oaks area near Streetly, 'where large, well designed houses are set in spacious' grounds.

Walsall Friends of the Earth co-ordinator Beth Porter also said other sites should be looked at first and the countryside should be protected.

The branch said it wants to see housing built on brownfield sites closer to public transport links and not on green field sites which undermine the rural character of large parts the borough.

The site adjoins existing homes off Buchanan Road and Argyle Close to the north west, to the south lies Walsall Arboretum and to the east is Calderfields Golf & Country Club, of Aldridge Road.