Outcry over permanent Black Country sites for travellers
A public meeting has been called amid concerns over plans to set up permanent travellers sites in the Black Country.
Walsall Council bosses are looking to create almost 30 permanent sites over the next few years to increase existing locations and have launched a public consultation.
Hundreds of disgruntled residents recently packed into a public meeting and a petition was launched against plans to turn the old Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre into a site for 15 permanent traveller pitches.
Now, Blakenall Councillor Pete Smith says he has received a string of concerns over plans to set up sites in Blakenall and Goscote and has arranged a public meeting for residents to air their views on Wednesday.
He said: "No less than five of the suggested permanent sites are in just one ward - the Blakenall ward and three of the biggest potential sites are in the Goscote area of the ward.
"I have been flooded with inquiries about this. The general consensus of opinion is that none of these sites are suitable as traveller sites because these sites are needed to help meet the demand for bricks and mortar housing."
He said the plans to create 15 pitches at Goscote Lodge Crescent were not being well received by the vast majority of residents.
Councillor Smith added: "Views gleaned so far suggest that other suggested traveller sites in the Blakenall ward, namely Goscote Lane, Dolphin Close, Mill Street and the rear of parts of Foster Street are similarly needed for affordable new homes to meet housing shortages in these areas."
The meeting will be held at the Ryecroft Hub, in New Forest Road, Ryecroft, at 7pm on Wednesday.
The consultation is running until November 2 and more information is available at www.walsall.gov.uk/planning_2026
