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Eight weeks to shape the future of the Black Country Green Belt

17th August 2021

Plans for nine large new developments on controversial sites in Walsall’s Green Belt, as well as several smaller sites, and sites in the Green Belt round Wolverhampton and Dudley, have been proposed in the draft Black Country Plan.

This joint Local Plan prepared by the four Black Country Authorities (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) will direct where new development will be located for the Black Country up to 2039.

While other controversial sites, notably the attractive landscape of the Seven Cornfields, the green wedge separating Wolverhampton and Dudley, have been dropped, the Plan still includes land backing onto Walsall’s historic Arboretum as well as sites with a history of controversy, such as Sandhills on the A461.

CPRE is concerned that residents whose localities would be affected by these proposals may not be aware of the threat to their countryside, or that they need to put in objections to the Plan if they are to have a say on what goes on in their local area. We urge planning authorities to directly inform residents living in the areas where Green Belt could be lost to development.

Mark Sullivan, Chairman of the West Midlands Regional Group of the CPRE, said:

“CPRE is concerned that too little is being done to make sure local residents understand what is proposed in their immediate countryside. It is essential that anyone who may be next door to one of these proposals knows that they need to have their say. We want people to know about these plans now.”

CPRE also believes more needs to be done to build homes where they are needed on brownfield sites inside the Black Country.

There are nine main housing proposals on Green Belt land in Walsall:

  • Next to the Pacific Nursery, Streetly
  • Between Pheasey and Streetly on the A4041
  • Between the Aldridge Road and the Arboretum, Fernleigh Road and the Calderfields Golf Club
  • Between the Longhorn Pub and Longwood Lane on Sutton Road
  • Between Lazy Hill Road and Stonnall Road, Aldridge
  • North of the Lichfield Road, Pelsall
  • North of Little Bloxwich on the Stafford Road
  • North of Mob Lane, Shelfield
  • Sandhills, next to the Chester Road and A461.

   Main housing proposals on Green Belt Land in Wolverhampton

  • East of Northcote Lane, Moseley
  • Grassy Lane, off Cannock Road, Westcroft

      Main housing proposals on Green Belt land in Dudley

  • Land south of Holbeache Lane, Kingswinford
  • The Triangle, Swindon Road, Kingswinford

Let councils know your views

The public consultation runs from 16 August to 11 October. Full details can be found on the Black Country Plan website, including a map showing the exact location of each site.