Hundreds turn out in force to voice opposition to potential loss of Green Belt land in Walsall

People are concerned about the impact building more than 1,000 homes on two sites in Chester Road on the Aldridge and Streetly border, along with a further 135 planned houses for land off Skip Lane.

More than 200 people attended a meeting in Aldridge on Wednesday to hear about the proposals for Chester Road and this followed a consultation event in Paddock last week, which saw dozens turn out to discuss the Skip Lane plan.

Residents are now being reminded to make official representations to the council ahead of the impending September 5 deadline.

The additional sites have been included in the controversial Black Country Plan which states that 76,000 new homes and 560 hectares of land for jobs needs to be found in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton by 2039.

In Walsall, it is proposed enough land is needed to build an extra 13,344 new houses and 164 hectares for employment use.

Around 200 sites have been identified in Walsall for the plan, which have been consulted on ahead of the additional three.

Planning officers and ward councillors were at the meeting in Aldridge to discuss the proposals and process of the whole plan.

Streetly councillor Suky Samra said: “Passionate residents raised their concerns at the traffic issues that 1,200 new homes would bring.

“Others were also extremely concerned at the health and school provisions available for the future residents.

“Residents are reminded that the consultation for these sites closed on the September 5 and register their objections before the closing date.”

People living nearby have previously raised concerns. David Wilkes said: “It’s a complete travesty. It’s going to have a massive impact on the wildlife.

“There’s no true infrastructure around here for residents such as transport – not just only for cars. There’s only a couple of bus stops and you have to get in your car to go to the train station. The roads are struggling as it is.

“We don’t have the shops, schools, doctors and dentists or any of these facilities. It’s all a struggle. It makes no sense.”

The impact on local services and loss of wildlife and green space is also causing concern amongst people living in Skip Lane.

Nazrana Kausar said: “We are all for additional housing and there is a national shortage but you’ve got to get it in the right place.

“There will be a huge new community living here and have got the resources for everywhere. How are they going to increase the services to cope with that?”

Paddock ward councillor Waheed Rasab said: “We need to save our Green Belt. Once it is gone it is never going to come back.

“We really don’t need this development. We urge people to use the brownfield sites first.”

A report with the final proposed sites is due to go to the Cabinet on the October 19.

People have to submit comments about the additional sites by 5pm on Monday, September 5.

These should be sent to blackcountryplan@dudley.gov.uk or planningpolicy@walsall.gov.uk.