Reform to ‘press for flexbility’ with huge housing targets in Walsall
Councillor Nicky Barker, portfolio holder for regeneration, made the comments in response to calls at an earlier scrutiny committee meeting.
The deputy leader of Walsall Council says she will ‘press for flexibility’ following a government order to deliver 21,026 homes across the borough.
Councillor Nicky Barker, portfolio holder for regeneration, made the comments in response to calls at an earlier scrutiny committee meeting.
Members at the meeting asked cabinet and group leaders to write to all Walsall MPs and the Secretary of State demanding a reduction in housing targets for Walsall.
They also called for the letter to demand funding for brownfield sites, for the government to redefine ‘grey belt’, and remove the definition entirely.
Councillor Barker said she ‘shared the concerns about the scale of housing growth’ expected in Walsall and that she is ‘willing to explore’ with group leaders a joint letter to MPs and the government.
She said: “The councillors consistently made representations to the government on housing targets and on the viability challenges associated with developing brownfield land.
“We will continue to press Walsall’s case. I am willing to explore with group leaders a joint letter to Walsall MPs and the Secretary of State.
“This would set out our concerns about housing allocations, call for increased funding for brownfield remediation and infrastructure, and see greater clarity about how grey belt is defined and applied.
“We will continue with the Regulation 19 consultation, while also pressing government for the resources and flexibility Walsall needs.”
Walsall Council is set to launch its Regulation 19 consultation on Monday September 21.
The six-week period invites residents across the borough to have their say on various sites put forward for housing and employment developments.
In Reform’s Walsall Borough Local Plan, 14,943 homes have been allocated creating a shortfall of 6,083.
Over five thousand homes have been allocated across nine green belt sites, two of which are also part of the Great Barr Conservation Area.
Previously Councillor Barker said the inclusion of green belt sites was ‘not a step the council would have taken if realistic alternatives existed’.
On completion of the six-week consultation, the plan will be sent to the planning inspector for review and approval. The deadline to submit the plan is 31 December 2026.
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