‘Death sentence’ fears over development in Walsall

An emotional plea was made to members of Walsall Council’s planning committee as it discussed a proposal to build 29 new houses on former allotment land behind Cricket Close.

The meeting on December 10, heard how the properties would be accessed via the cul-de-sac off the busy A34 Birmingham Road under the plan, submitted by applicant Cricket Close LLP.

But residents said while they had no objection to the housing, the increased traffic would destroy the normally tranquil road and urged a new route to the homes off the Broadway be considered instead.

The issue sparked a lengthy debate in the meeting with many members against the proposed access to the homes.

A decision on the plan, which officers had recommended for approval, was deferred in the hope the issues over access can be resolved.

The former allotment site is next to the old Walsall Tennis Club facility and a proposal to build 50 houses across the whole area hit a snag and was withdrawn in 2019.

Representatives for the applicants said they were unable to use a route off The Broadway as this would mean going over part of the tennis club land, prompting objections from Sport England.

Jane Wilding, speaking on behalf of the residents of Cricket Close, said: “I am a Cricket Close original and lived there since 1979. It’s always been a nice little road.

“Many comments have been received from visitors and workmen who say it’s a quiet little oasis you wouldn’t expect just off the main A34.

“It has been a very pleasant place to live for the last 40 years. Quiet, safe, relatively crime free. Why? Because it is a cul-de-sac.

“I live directly opposite the proposed entrance and have looked many times and wondered how long we would have the views. The day of reckoning has arrived and the land is to be developed.

“We have no objection whatsoever but we do strongly object to using Cricket Close as the access when there is an alternative off the Broadway.

“The roads are far too narrow to take what would be a vastly increased amount of traffic and also at peak times, it would be a nightmare getting on to Birmingham Road.

“Please do not destroy our close. Over the years, our children have played there. As soon as they came home from school they’d be out, no computer games or TV, all ages, all sports, it all went on in Cricket Close.

Because it was a safe cul-de-sac, no traffic and existing residents were mindful of what was going on.

“If this access goes ahead we will no longer have our safe, quiet cul-de-sac. Build houses by all means but please use a different access. Do not make this a death sentence for Cricket Close as it is now.”

John Williams, on behalf of the applicants, said the site has been allocated for housing in the council’s local plan.

He said: “We hope that you agree that this is a quality scheme with well-designed house types and a layout which is sympathetic to its surroundings, with green space incorporated on the outer boundaries of the site.

“People have raised concerns mainly related to site access and parking. 27 of the 29 homes will be accessed via Cricket Close. There is no disagreement with us and highway officers on proposed access.”

Committee chairman Mike Bird, who lives near Cricket Close, said he wasn’t happy with the proposed access and had a “heavy heart” about it. But he added highways officers believed it could take the volume of increased cars.

But ward councillor Waheed Rasab said: “I’m not in favour. Broadway is much safer rather than turning left or right from Birmingham Road.

“I’m surprised to see that highways have no objections. Anyone can see this is going to cause huge problems for the current residents.