Walsall Council has abandoned plans to reduce the Great Barr Conservation Area by 80%, preserving its current 774-hectare boundary after overwhelming public opposition.
The council’s initial proposal, outlined in last year’s draft Great Barr Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP), aimed to shrink the protected site to just 144 hectares—restricting it to Area A, the historic core designated in 1976. This core includes landmarks such as Great Barr Hall, The Lakes, Merrion’s Wood, Fox’s Plantation, and Chapel Lane.
In 1996, the conservation area was expanded to include surrounding agricultural landscapes labeled as Areas B, C, and D. These zones encompass significant sites like the Great Barr Medieval Deer Park, Barr Beacon, Coxfold Farmhouse, and Doe Bank Farm, as well as valuable green spaces.
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Public consultation revealed that three-quarters of respondents opposed reducing the conservation area. Concerns centered on the threat of housing development, potential loss of wildlife habitats, diminished protection for green spaces and historic sites, and damage to the character and natural beauty of the region.
Taking these views into account, Walsall Council has decided to maintain the existing boundaries of the Great Barr Conservation Area. The decision will be formally ratified by cabinet members in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 10.