Protest to go ahead against thousands of green belt homes in Walsall this weekend
Demonstrators are set to take a stand against thousands of homes being built on green belt land in Walsall.
The protest is being held on Saturday, February 28, organised by campaign group Stop the Build on Aldridge Green Belt.
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Lead campaigner and Aldridge resident, Christine Edwards, has pleaded with people to ‘just turn up’.
Protesters, joined by local MP Wendy Morton, will meet at 12pm on the Croft in Aldridge.
Last year Walsall Council released its draft Walsall Borough Local Plan where several plots of land across the borough have been allocated to prospective developers for housing.
It was created in response to a government directive to build 1.85million homes within five years.
In the Aldridge and Brownhills area alone, sites have been allocated for over 7,000 homes.
The huge figure does not cover several developments on sites not allocated in the draft local plan, such as proposals for 500 homes on Bosty Lane, and the recently approved Longwood Lane development of 115 homes.
Christine said: “We just want somebody to listen, not just the council, but at a government level.
“We’ve seen what can happen, us pensioners did it with the winter fuel allowance, the farmers have done it with the farm tax, if people stand together they can make a change.
“Let’s get some common sense back into politics and government.”
David Smith, chair of Stop of the Build on Aldridge Green Belt, added: “People need to get involved and need to realise just what a problem this is going to be if these houses are built.
“Yes we need houses but in the right places. We’re hoping people will become more vocal and someone will hear us.”
The ministry of housing, communities, and local government has been approached for a statement.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader at Walsall Council, said: “The council must prepare a local plan following instruction by central government, and this sadly includes reviewing the green belt.
“If the council does not submit a local plan by the government deadline, then there will be much less control over where developments can be built.
“The local plan is essential to make sure the council can deliver government imposed targets for new housing, and our priority is to protect sites that matter to our communities.”
