Decision on football pitch-sized Oldbury industrial units delayed by planners

Developers have lodged proposes to build new storage and distribution warehouses on the Oldbury wildlife corridor – on privately-owned land next to the Asda supermarket – a move that has sparked uproar among residents.

A decision on the proposals was due earlier this month at Sandwell Council’s planning committee, but it was deferred for a site visit.

Reports for Wednesday’s meeting states that a decision will be delayed until their November meeting as councillors ask for “further information”.

Council officer Alison Bishop said the proposal had developed “a high number of objections”.

She said: “Due to further assessments being required and consultation with statutory consultees and residents the application is deferred until the next planning committee in November.”

Locals believe the development would destroy vital wildlife habitats – and that there are other, more suitable sites.

More than 21,000 people have so far signed a petition against the plans, which would include two units to be used for storage and distribution.

Almost 19,000 signatures were amassed in just one week after the petition was launched back in August.

Phil Shakespeare, who launched the petition, said: “The petition is a little focus in a little area on a much wider issue. One day we will wake up and our children will have no green spaces left.

“It is protecting the green spaces we have left. It is heartbreaking to think it could be turned into concrete.

“We need to keep up the pressure. We will continue to fight this.”

The woodland is located off Wolverhampton Road between the Asda superstore and Langley Primary School and is near to the M5, which runs on a bridge close by.

Sandwell Council’s planning committee is expected to make a decision on the plans in the coming months.

To view the petition, search for ‘Oldbury Wildlife Corridor’ on www.change.org.