South Staffordshire Council has approved plans for 92 new homes on Pool House Road in Wombourne, near Wolverhampton, despite significant concerns from local residents about transport accessibility and flood risks.
The development, located on a greenfield site currently used as farmland, faced more than 30 objections during the planning committee review. A key issue raised was the distance new residents would need to walk—approximately 900 meters—to reach the nearest bus stops on Planks Lane. This distance is more than double the recommended maximum walking distance of 350 meters to bus stops, according to best practice guidelines. Attempts to reroute existing bus services to better serve the development were deemed unfeasible due to timetable constraints and the potential adverse impact on other parts of the network.
The council’s planning reports acknowledged the longer walking distance but emphasized the high frequency and quality of the existing bus services, suggesting this made the site acceptable for development. Additionally, infrastructure improvements, including upgraded pedestrian crossings along Giggetty Lane, are planned to provide safer and shorter walking routes to bus stops and nearby amenities.
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Local resident Ian Hawkins voiced opposition to the scheme, citing concerns over increased flooding. He highlighted that Pool House Road experiences frequent flooding, which he fears will worsen due to the development’s drainage limitations. Hawkins also emphasized the environmental impact of building on greenfield land, which contradicts the council’s declared climate emergency and contributes to the loss of green spaces and natural habitats.
From the developers’ perspective, represented by agent Sarah Butterfield, the site is considered sustainable and aligns with both the current and emerging local development plans. Butterfield stressed that the location offers convenient access to schools, a leisure center, medical facilities, and a supermarket, all within a one-kilometer radius. She also noted that multiple bus services operate nearby, providing connections to Wombourne, Wolverhampton, and surrounding areas with frequent schedules throughout the day.
The development will include policy-compliant affordable housing and is seen as a boost to South Staffordshire’s housing supply. The council concluded that the benefits of the project outweigh its potential harms, leading to the approval despite ongoing local concerns.