Councillor on Walsall’s planning committee backs legal challenge into committee decision
A member of Walsall Council’s planning committee has ‘fully backed’ a judicial review into a controversial green belt decision.
Councillor Rose Martin was on holiday when the committee met on June 19 as plans for two five-bedroom homes on Barr Lakes Lane, which is within the green belt and the Great Barr Conservation Area, were approved by members.
The decision followed 25 objections from neighbours and interested parties, objections from five out of ten statutory consultees, and a warning from the council’s principal solicitor who said approving the application would put the authority in a ‘vulnerable position’.
But Councillor Martin, who has served on the planning committee since 2022, said that if she was present she would have ‘robustly refused’ the plans.
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Barr Beacon resident Patrick Cluxton is pursuing a judicial review into the planning committee’s decision.
Councillor Rose Martin said she fully supports the move.
She said: “For the Barr Lakes Lane application, I was on holiday, but having read the report and watched the planning committee video, if present at the meeting I would have robustly defended the officers’ recommendation to refuse this application.
“I also agree completely with the planning solicitor’s view that if passed this has potential to open the floodgates for more inappropriate developments within the green belt.
“I therefore fully back a judicial review into the application.”
The Pelsall councillor also said she supports the recently published peer review into the council’s planning services, which raised concerns about the planning committee.
She said: “I fully support the previous leader, Councillor Garry Perry, in requesting this the latest peer review and having read the report, I also support Councillor Matt Ward’s call for an enquiry.
“I will always carry out my duty to represent residents with the highest integrity and due diligence to support or refuse applications without bias.
“With the full support of my ward colleagues Councillors Garry Perry and Councillor Edward Lee, I will remain on committee.”
Chairman of the Beacon Action Group, Bob Winkle, added: “I have known Councillor Martin for many years, we have done many campaigns together to protect the green belt. I fully agree with her, this decision needs to be investigated.”
Walsall Council has declined to comment.
