Protesters are preparing to gather outside Walsall Council House ahead of a crucial planning committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 3 September.
The campaign group Save Our Park is urging the council to reject a significant planning application that threatens 13.7 acres of woodland at Reedswood Park. The proposal, submitted by the Department for Education (DfE), involves the construction of a £50 million, three-storey secondary school accommodating 1,000 students.
If approved, the new institution will be called the Windsor Apollo Academy and managed by the Windsor Academy Trust.
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Local residents have expressed persistent concerns, particularly regarding the choice of Reedswood Lane as the access route. They contend that the road, which is often reduced to a single lane by parked vehicles even during off-peak hours, will be unable to handle the increased traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times.
These traffic worries are echoed by the Highways Authority, which has formally objected to the application, citing unresolved ‘‘fundamental matters’’.
Beyond traffic, opposition also centres on environmental issues. Ecological surveys submitted with the application reveal the presence of 30 bird species, nine bat species, six reptile species, and multiple mammals inhabiting the woodland slated for development.
Despite the widespread opposition, the Department for Education, under the current Labour government, remains committed to the scheme. The DfE has not provided public explanations regarding the selection of Reedswood Park or reasons for discounting alternative sites, such as the nearby vacant Sneyd Comprehensive School.
Earlier this year, the previous Conservative-controlled council approved a £1 million payment to the DfE to cover abnormal start-up costs and agreed to a 125-year lease of the woodland. However, the new Reform cabinet recently voted to rescind this £1 million commitment.
The council’s planning committee faces the critical decision to approve or refuse the application at their upcoming meeting.
Mark Webster, a local campaigner, commented: “While we welcome the council’s decision to withdraw the million-pound contribution agreed by the previous administration, clear communication about their intentions is still awaited. Residents are living in uncertainty with the school proposal scheduled for discussion on 3 September. We need clarity on whether the funding withdrawal signifies a wish to withdraw the entire scheme.”
Shokt Faisal of Agenda 21 and Friends of Reedswood Park added: “We call on the council to reject this scheme outright. It neither reflects the wishes nor serves the interests of local residents.”
A Walsall Council spokesperson said: “A planning report on the proposed secondary school north of Reedswood Lane will be considered at the planning committee on 3 September 2026. The committee examines applications alongside professional advice, consultation feedback, and community views. Decisions are made in line with planning policies and other relevant considerations.”
Save Our Park has invited residents to join a demonstration at 5pm outside Walsall Council House on Lichfield Street on Thursday, 3 September.