Plans for up to 350 new homes in Pelsall will strain schools, roads and GP services
A conservation group is claiming that proposals to build hundreds of canalside homes in Pelsall will result in worse traffic problems and strain health and education services.
Housing developer Miller Homes wants to construct up to 350 properties on land of off Norton Road and Lichfield Road between York's Foundation Bridge and Highfield Bridge in Pelsall near Walsall. Some of the homes will overlook the Wyrley & Essington Canal.
But the chairman of Pelsall Civic Society Andrew Weller said if the project is given the green light it will have an adverse impact on community services. He is appealing for residents to attend a public consultation on Tuesday November 25 to air their views on the scheme.
The 53-acre site is being put forward for prospective housing development in Walsall's draft Local Plan with an access road off Lichfield Road. It is for a mixture of two, three, four and five bedroom houses with 40 per cent of them being earmarked for the affordable home market.
Mr Weller said: "We are urging all the residents to attend the consultation to ask questions and have their say. We believe this will have a big impact on the village in terms of school places, GP surgeries, traffic and pollution levels. We shall be asking the developers for more consultation days as we feel that one day is not enough.
"They need to hear from more people as this is an important issue and will be a major development.
"We shall also be asking our MP Wendy Morton and our councillors to oppose the application on the grounds of the impact it will have. We also will be asking them to call a public meeting so that we can discuss it together.
"With a development of 350 homes there could be 1,100 to 1,200 people moving in which would be a 10 per cent increase in the population of the village.
"Pelsall's main roads are already gridlocked at peak times and with the new York's Bridge due to open we do have concerns that traffic through the the area will increase."
The consultation event will be held at Pelsall Community Centre in Station Road on Tuesday from 3.30pm-7.30pm.
Miller Homes said: “Our plans have been carefully designed to consider the existing landscape features of the site and to build a thriving canalside community. The site will feature green corridors and plentiful open spaces, creating an attractive living environment that encourages outdoor recreation and active travel.”
