Residents in Walsall have welcomed the refusal of plans for a new secondary school, describing the decision as a ‘huge victory’ for the local community. On 3 September, Walsall Council’s planning committee voted against the proposed Windsor Apollo Academy, a 1000-pupil school that was to be constructed on woodland in Reedswood Park.
The proposal had been met with significant opposition due to concerns over the chosen site, particularly the impact on local green space and access via Reedswood Lane. The plan, backed by the Labour government’s Department for Education, involved the loss of approximately 13.7 acres of woodland habitat to make way for the £50million school.
Local residents gathered in the public gallery at the council meeting, where the refusal was greeted with applause and cheering. Councillors chose to reject the plans citing issues related to highways, ecological damage, loss of trees, and the negative impact on the amenity of those living nearby.
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Mark Webster, representing the campaign group Save Our Park, expressed gratitude to the community, stating, “The decision has resulted in the council doing what we asked for in our petition signed by over 2,000 local residents, which was to abandon the proposals. We want to thank everyone who has worked with us on this campaign. We really could not have done it without you. As a group, we have pledged to keep fighting to protect Reedswood for local residents and preserve it for future generations.”
Shahin Akhtar, secretary of Walsall Trades Union Council, also praised the community’s efforts: “This result belongs to the residents who refused to be ignored. They knocked on doors, signed petitions, attended meetings, organised protests and stood together to defend a green space that means so much to the local community. This is a huge victory for the people of Reedswood. Walsall TUC has been proud to stand alongside them. We have always said that the need for school places should not mean sacrificing precious community green space without properly exploring every alternative.”
Shokt Fazal, vice-chair of Birchills Agenda 21, commented, “Nine years of whispers and deal making has been destroyed by people power and local democracy. Eco-vandalism and false hopes of prosperity are not required in Reedswood Park.”
Councillor Aftab Nawaz, leader of Walsall Community Independents, added, “We’re not against a new school in Walsall but it was the wrong place to put it from the very beginning. When a government or council goes against the opinion of its people, it’s never a great thing. It will be a kick in the teeth if the Department for Education decides to appeal the decision. The Labour government’s Department for Education should now come to Walsall, sit down with its people, and invest that £50million where it’s needed, such as schools that have closed and can be reopened. We shouldn’t be in the position where they say they’ll only give us £50million if we let them destroy our green spaces.”