‘They don’t care about us’ – Walsall residents living next to proposed 1000-space school site speak out against plans

Julie Petty, Jayne Cooney, both 65, and Ann Ryder, 62, said the Department for Education (DfE) and Walsall Council ‘don’t care about residents’.

In 2017 the DfE proposed to build a new £50m free school in Walsall and chose 13.7 acres of woodland at Reedswood Park as the preferred site.

The location has faced significant backlash from MPs, residents and a planning consultant over the environmental damage and poor access.

The sisters, who live right next to the site, said they haven’t received any letters or phone calls about the major project.

After the LDRS got in touch with the DfE about the concerns, it said it will host a drop-in event later this month.

The main fear for the residents is that the proposed access to the facility will be on Reedswood Lane.

Julie said: “We’ve had no letters to say they’re thinking about it. No letters to say they’re building the school.

“It’s alright for them sat there, but what about the residents that pay the rates and have to put up with it?

“The junction won’t take it, it’s horrendous. They need to give their heads a wobble. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Ann added: “Someone is going to get killed. How are they going to get the building lorries on the site? They can’t use Reedswood Lane, they won’t be able to get through. In the sixties a kid was killed from a lorry going to the power station on this road.”

While the access route has not been confirmed, the three women say they can’t think where else it be.

When the LDRS approached the DfE and Walsall Council with the sisters’ concerns, neither disputed Reedswood Lane being used.

Many people opposing the plans have suggested that using the vacant Sneyd Comprehensive School on Vernon Way would be less environmentally damaging and would make better use of tax payers’ money.

Ann said: “You’ve got Sneyd that’s not being used. Why don’t they use that? They’ve got all the parking, all the space, there’s no congestion there. There’s a school already built and they can do it up.

“What is better than that site? Walsall Council don’t care about us little people, all they care about is themselves.

“They go on about green belt land and nature and animals. What about the foxes and rabbits at Reedswood? When you’re older that’s what you enjoy, breathing in the fresh air.

“The deeds to Reedswood Park were left to the people of Walsall. They’ve got no rights touching it.”

Julie added: “It’s green belt. They’re losing the park which is for everybody in Walsall to use. They haven’t even considered the residents in Reedswood Lane. They’ve just gone ahead with it and it ain’t fair.”

Last month deputy leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Adrian Andrew, said he ‘struggled to understand’ how anyone could oppose the project.

Walsall Council has also put the same site forward for 94 homes in the draft local plan, which the sisters said they would prefer over the school.

They also complained that the area is not safe enough for the students.

Four people were seriously hurt in a violent disorder on Reedswood Lane in July 2024, and Ann said a machete was stuffed in the privet of her front garden recently.

She said: “It’s not safe here. They’re selling drugs morning, noon and night. What else is it going to be like with kids going down the street?

“Police are here all the time, we had a drive-by shooting at the top of the street. It was awful. Would you want your kids to come down this street? I’ve lived here all my life. I’m too old to move but I wouldn’t want my kids to live down here.”

Julie has called for the Education Secretary to come and speak to residents face-to-face.

She said: “We want the Education Secretary to come up from London and access our street for the day and speak to us face-to-face. See if she would like this by her house.

“It’s mostly gone through and they haven’t said anything to residents. It’s disgusting. We’re the little people and they don’t care about us. They’ve got our money and they can do what they like.”

The DfE said parents, local authorities and residents will be invited to take part in consultation to share their views. A drop-in session will be held later this month.

A spokesperson said: “We are proceeding with free school projects that meet the needs of communities and raise standards across local areas.

“Parents, local authorities and residents will be invited to take part in consultation to learn more about the plans and share their views.”

Councillor Mark Statham, portfolio holder for children’s, families and lifelong learning at Walsall Council, said: “A new school that will provide education for more than 1,000 local young people is incredibly positive for our borough, and we’re proud that Walsall is one of just sixteen areas in England selected to receive significant investment from central government.

“The school will be developed on the former Reedswood golf course site, which is council-owned land and situated adjacent to Reedswood Park.

“Funding was confirmed in December 2025, so the programme is still in its early stages. The views of residents and the wider community will be essential in shaping how the school develops, with the first of many opportunities to get involved taking place this month.

“The council has a legal duty to ensure every Walsall child has access to a school place, and this investment will strengthen our ability to meet that need while giving local young people – whatever their background or ability – access to a high‑quality education. A new school is more than just an education provider, it becomes an important pillar of the whole community.”