Date set for inquiry into major housing development on Walsall’s green belt

Plans to build 115 homes off Longwood Lane were refused by Walsall Council on June 19.

Applicant William David Homes Ltd appealed the refusal, meaning the decision will now be made by a government planning inspector.

The applicant, Walsall Council and other interested parties will argue their cases at the inquiry starting on December 2.

In June, the plans were refused by the planning committee on the grounds that it would be an inappropriate development on the green belt, bring an increase in traffic, and cause issues around wildlife habitats and trees.

At the time, 235 objections were received over impact on the green belt, flooding, noise and pollution, traffic and access, and pressure on local services.

But in July William David Homes launched its appeal, believing that none of the refusal reasons ‘had merit’.

It said that the land should be categorised as grey belt rather than green belt and that highway issues raised in relation to the Sutton Road junction would be ‘negligible’ following improvements.

It also said it will show how biodiversity will be enhanced, and that any loss of trees would not outweigh the benefits of the proposal.

The developer hopes to prove to the inspector that the proposal will deliver ‘significant benefits which demonstrably outweigh any harm’.

At the June planning meeting, members also voted unanimously in favour to submit an application to recover costs should the applicant appeal the decision.