Thousands of homes to come to Walsall as council asks for residents’ input
Nearly 20,000 homes will be coming to Walsall between now and 2042, with several large chunks of green belt put forward for prospective developers.
Large plots of green belt land have been proposed for housing on Lichfield Road in Brownhills, the fields west of Maybrook Industrial estate in Walsall Wood, and Stafford Road in Bloxwich.
Also put forward is land off Doe Bank Lane in Pheasey, Chester Road in Streetly and two plots either side of Aldridge Road near Calderfields Golf Club – the largest allocation in the plan.
Walsall Council has created the document in response to a government directive to meet its housing targets over the coming years.
All councils have to submit their plans before December 2026. Failure to do so will result in the government’s planning inspectorate imposing its own local plan for Walsall.
A six-week consultation for potential sites for development is expected to start in early November, and Walsall Council has urged residents to have their say.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on October 15, leader of the authority, Councillor Mike Bird, said: “Walsall is where the Black Country turns green, sadly that will change and it will change rapidly because of the government directive we have to work within.
“Although I’ve been accused by some that it is my wish to concrete over Aldridge, this is not the case. We are powerless to defend against the developments which will eventually come on the green belt.
“It’s vitally important for local people to engage with the consultation and have their say. This will help shape a plan that’s best for our borough. A plan will help us to identify land suitable for development. Whilst protecting the areas we want to protect, including our green belt.
“I will say it long and hard – green belt is no longer sacrosanct with the government direction that we now have to work with.
“We want the people of Walsall to engage with this. There might be some sites that have not been included in the plan; if there are, we want you to tell us. We welcome the public’s input.”
Deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, Councillor Adrian Andrew, added: “This council, as with others, are under increasing pressure by the current government to deliver housing across the borough.
“They’re expecting us to deliver approximately 1,200 new homes every year. Our green belt is under threat. This administration will continue with a brownfield-first approach as much as we possibly can. I would urge as many people as possible to get involved in this consultation.”
