Another 80 homes approved for former school site
Multi-million pound plans to build an extra 80 homes at a former school site in Beechdale is set to get the nod from planning chiefs.
Forty properties have already been built on the former Beechdale School site as part of a £5 million flagship development by Accord Group.
The old school in Remington Road closed in 2007 and was demolished.
The new Innovation Way development was officially launched by Accord recently and a phase two for 80 more properties was put forward.
There will be a mix of two to four-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom flats, under the plans.
The application is due to be discussed by Walsall Council's planning committee at a meeting on Thursday, October 1, and has been recommended for approval by officers.
A report to the planning committee states: "The proposal is to erect 80 dwellings as phase two of the development of the former Beechdale School.
"The applicant is Accord Housing Association and the proposed properties are all affordable social rented units.
"Now the school has been demolished and phase one built out and occupied.
"And the remainder of the school site comprises mainly scrub vegetation with mature trees in the south-eastern corner and mature trees and a dense hedge around the perimeter.
"The proposal is to develop the remainder of the former school site as phase two of the Accord Group development."
The school closed in 2007 and was declared surplus to requirements by the council.
The report added: "The proposals are for the remaining part of the school site as phase two of a residential development.
"The Department for Education granted consent under schedule one of the Academies Act 2010 in October 2013 to the disposal of the non playing field elements of the site.
"Sport England do not object to the proposals as there is no evidence that the site has been used as a sports pitch in the last five years.
"The principle of new housing development on a previously developed site in a sustainable urban location is in accordance with development plan policies.
"The principle of new housing on the site is considered acceptable."
There is one parking space per unit allocated for the flats and for the two bedroom houses and two parking spaces for three bedroom houses and larger.
The planning committee meeting will be held at Walsall Council House at 5.30pm on Thursday.
