Plans for 115 homes on green belt and HMO opposite museum in Walsall to be decided at council meeting

The most high-profile case to be decided on is the proposal to build 115 homes on Walsall’s green belt on Longwood Lane.

Walsall’s planning officers have recommended that members refuse the application, describing it as ‘inappropriate’.

Over in Willenhall, petitions have been launched in response to two applications.

One for a House of Multiple Occupation opposite the Lock Museum, which officers have recommended to be approved.

The other is a retrospective bid to turn a clothing warehouse into a South Asian convenience store, which was previously refused.

Also to be decided at the meeting on Thursday is a proposal to build two five bedroom homes within the Great Barr Conservation Area on Barr Lakes Lane.

The two remaining items on the agenda include an ‘overbearing’ outbuilding in Streetly, and a single story extension in Shelfield where the applicant works for the council.

Here’s a closer look at each application being considered:

Longwood Lane, Walsall

Up to 115 homes could be built on Walsall’s Green Belt if this application is approved on Thursday.

Property developer William Davis Homes Ltd submitted an outline planning application to build on the site off Longwood Lane in the Pheasey Park Farm ward.

Walsall Council’s planning officers have recommended that the application is refused on the grounds that it would be an inappropriate development on the green belt, concerns over increased traffic, as well as issues around wildlife habitats and trees.

The applicant argues that the site should be considered ‘grey belt’, a term used to describe lower-quality green belt land however the council has disagreed.

Two comments have been received in support of the application but 235 were received against it, including one from Walsall and Bloxwich MP Valerie Vaz.

Objectors raised concerns over impact on the green belt, flooding, noise and pollution, traffic and access, and pressure on local services.

36-40, Walsall Road, Willenhall

This retrospective application to change a former clothing warehouse to a south Asian convenience store was rejected by Walsall Council last year.

The proposed use commenced on October 16, 2025 without permission from the local authority.

The council refused the retrospective application in December 2025, as it found that the applicant, GNG Store UK Ltd, failed to demonstrate the need for a town centre use outside of a town centre, and provided no flood risk assessment. It also said there was insufficient parking for the new use.

At the time, a petition with 251 signatures from the nearby Sikh temple supported the change of use application.

With the latest application which will go before the planning committee on Thursday, a further petition with 106 signatures in support has also been submitted.

Walsall Council’s planning officers have again recommended the change of use application for refusal.

The council said: “Despite overcoming previous reasons for refusal regarding insufficient parking provision and detail regarding flood risk, this application has failed to overcome all of the previous reasons for refusal, specifically that the proposed development is a town centre use in an out of centre location which has failed to demonstrate a local need.

“It is considered this application does not accord with local and national planning policies.”

75 New Road, Willenhall

This change of use application hopes to create an eight-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation in a locally listed building opposite the Willenhall Lock Museum.

Officers at Walsall Council have recommended that the committee approve the proposal in the building previously used by Gravestock and Owen Accountants.

It is being brought before the planning committee after a petition with 33 signatures was submitted against the plans by applicant Tristar Homes Ltd.

Councillor Cheema, representing Willenhall South, also submitted comments highlighting the over concentration of HMOs in the area already.

The petition states the plans would result in over development of the site, negative effect on locally listed buildings and an increase in crime.

Barr Lakes Lane, Walsall

This application, to build two five-bedroom homes on green belt land on Barr Lakes Lane, has been recommended for refusal by Walsall Council’s planning officers.

The recommendation for refusal is based on concerns around the impact on the green belt and the Great Barr Conservation Area, for which the site lies within, the impact on the rural character of surrounding countryside, insufficient detail on heritage assessment, and pedestrian or road safety.

At least 25 objections were received by neighbours and interested parties on similar issues, with one comment describing the proposal as ‘opportunistic’.

Also objecting is Councillor Connor Horton, a Sandwell Council member who echoed similar concerns as the site is near the border with the authority.

The decision has been called into the planning committee by Councillor Saiqa Nasreen on the grounds that there is no significant harm to the amenities of the surrounding area including parking, traffic, noise, disturbance and loss of TPO trees.

32 Thorney Road, Streetly

Ward councillor for Streetly, Councillor Sarah Cooper has called in this application to be decided by the planning committee.

The proposal by Hardeep Singh Tung details plans to build an outbuilding in the rear garden of the property.

Walsall Council’s planning officers have recommended the application for approval, but Councillor Cooper and two others have objected to the plans, stating it is not in keeping with the area, overbearing and will affect neighbouring gardens.

Fenbourne Close, Shelfield

Finally, the last item on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting is a proposal to demolish an existing rear conservatory and replace it with a single-story rear extension.

It is being brought before the committee as the applicant is an officer employed by the council. It has been recommended for approval.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6pm on Thursday (June 19).