Council accused of double standards as protected site put forward for homes

Walsall Council has been accused of hypocrisy for including a new protected site within its future housing plans.

Last month Reform cabinet members at Walsall Council approved the latest version of the Walsall Borough Local Plan. 

The document releases several plots of land for thousands of homes as well as employment development. 

The latest version has included an allocation of 135 homes on land off Skip Lane which falls entirely within the Great Barr Conservation Area. 

Last month, Walsall Council removed two sites because they would impact adjoining nature conservation sites. 

Rita Garbett and Kay Davies, two residents living next to the area, described the inclusion of Skip Lane as ‘ridiculous’. 

Kay said: “The whole lot stinks. You’ve got Councillor Nicky Barker saying they’ve done their best to protect conservation areas. Why has this site been added in? 

“I think they’re just scrambling around for sites. They’ve picked on this one because they think it’ll be easy to get through as none of the ward councillors are on the cabinet.

“The rules are strict on conservation areas. If they’re going to build on that land, the homes must be conservation grade so they won’t be cheap, affordable or social. 

“When you release land from the green belt, at least 50 per cent of the homes are supposed to be affordable.”

The proposed housing site is next to 135 Skip Lane where a homeowner recently submitted an application to retain a caravan, erect boundary fencing and build a wall with railings. 

Walsall Council refused the plans for several reasons. One was that it would be inappropriate development in the green belt and another was that it would cause harm to the Great Barr Conservation Area. 

Kay added: “If that isn’t double standards then I don’t know what is.”

The Walsall Borough Local Plan has already undergone a statutory Regulation 18 stage, where residents could give feedback on the first draft plan. 

Next week the authority is set to launch its six-week consultation on Regulation 19, which is the final step before the plan is reviewed and approved by the Planning Inspectorate. 

Both Kay and Rita have complained that residents didn’t have the chance to oppose the inclusion of Skip Lane during the Regulation 18 stage. 

Rita said: “Residents haven’t had a chance to comment on this site because it wasn’t included in the first consultation. There wasn’t equity for us to be able to object.”

A petition has been launched against the inclusion of the Skip Lane site. 

Kay added: “This is just the start and if we don’t stop this one they’ll start on the rest of the conservation area. People should sign this petition.” 

Councillor Nicky Barker, deputy leader at Walsall Council, said: “The Walsall Borough Local Plan has been prepared to be in accordance with national planning policy and statutory requirements and has been informed by a robust evidence base.

“This includes detailed assessments of issues such as flood risk, infrastructure capacity and the needs of communities across the borough.

“The plan is subject to a comprehensive process of public consultation and independent examination, ensuring all representations are considered before any final decisions are made.

“We would encourage residents to take part in the forthcoming Regulation 19 Consultation, which commences on Monday 14 September, where residents will be asked to provide feedback based on whether they believe the Local Plan has been prepared correctly and whether it meets the national tests required for approval.”