Petitions to combat new travellers' sites
Campaigners are launching a petition and have called a public meeting in protest to plans to set up a travellers' site near their homes in Darlaston.
Council bosses are looking to create almost 30 permanent sites over the next few years to increase existing locations.
But residents have joined forces against plans to use the old Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre site.
It comes after homeowners near Broad Lane Gardens, Bloxwich – identified as a possible site by the local authority – announced they had also started a petition.
The Bloxwich branch of the Royal British Legion stands there and even though it closed in 2013, residents still do not want the land used by travellers.
Neighbours want traditional starter homes for young people to be built instead.
Stephen Roberts, who lives in Taryn Drive, in Darlaston, said the proposed old Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre site was only a few doors down from where he lives.
The 52-year-old has been part of a team who have been posting leaflets through doors in the area to advertise a public meeting at Darlaston All Active Centre, in Willenhall Road, on September 2 at 7.30pm.
He said: "We are inviting residents to a meeting where they can air their views.
"We are launching the petition at the public meeting and we want to drum up support for it. We will then take it to the council."
It comes as the borough is battling a surge in illegal camps.
But Mr Roberts said residents were concerned about potential anti-social behaviour, litter and devaluation of properties if the plans go ahead.
He said: "It will border private residents. I've got a property which would be three or four doors away from the proposed site.
"We would like to have housing on there instead."
The authority has carried out a review of land and a report says a shortage of authorised sites can lead to illegal camps.
Walsall has been plagued by illegal camps setting up on land since spring and it recently emerged they have cost the cash-strapped authority around £15,000 so far this year.
Existing official traveller sites are mainly on land in Willenhall Lane and Trentham Cottage.
In addition to the Bloxwich and Darlaston sites, other areas now being considered are part of Goscote Lodge Crescent, Goscote Copper Works and Poplar Avenue.
A report to the council said existing sites would also be safeguarded against redevelopment for alternative uses unless sufficient alternative sites have first been provided of at least the same capacity as that of the sites to be lost.
