105 homes planned for playing fields despite pitch shortage
More than 100 homes could be built on playing fields in Wednesbury – despite a stark shortage of green space for youngsters.
Housing developer Persimmon is planning to build 105 homes on fields off Friar Park Road in Wednesbury.
But a government body responsible for protecting playing fields has come out against the plan over concerns that £300,000 promised to improve facilities elsewhere in Sandwell might be scrapped under the plans.
Persimmon already has permission to build 84 homes on the land – after plans were given the green light by Sandwell Council in 2020 – but the developer returned with a new application to add more homes to the development earlier this year.
As part of the deal to build 84 homes on the playing fields, Persimmon agreed £300,000 to put towards improving the facilities at the Hydes Road playing fields – just over a mile away – which Sandwell Council had singled out as a “key priority site” for sports.
The money was also supposed to make sure the pitches at the Phoenix Collegiate site in Clarkes Lane, West Bromwich, were brought up to a ‘good’ standard for community use.
