Walsall Council is urging residents to participate in a consultation on a crucial draft local plan that will shape the borough’s housing future. This plan responds to government mandates requiring councils to meet set housing targets, with all submissions due by December 2026. Failure to comply risks having plans imposed by the government’s planning inspectorate, leaving local priorities sidelined.
Currently, more than 2,300 homes are proposed for development on green belt land throughout Walsall, sparking concern over the future of these protected areas. Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, has highlighted the threat to the borough’s green belt and encouraged community input.
The key green belt housing projects underway are:
READ MORE: Villa Hardcore and Youth Hooligan Threat Diminished, Police Report Reveals
READ MORE: State Pension for Pre-1953 Born Women to Increase Nearly 5%, Resulting in £184 Weekly Payment
-
Queslett Road, Pheasey: Developer IM Land and Walton Homes is conducting a public consultation for an 850-home neighbourhood within the Great Barr Conservation Area. This site features prominently in the draft local plan.
-
Bosty Lane, Aldridge: Wain Estate Limited has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment for a 650-home development spanning 41.5 acres, including plans for a new neighbourhood centre and public open spaces. Part of this site appears in the draft plan.
-
Longwood Lane, Aldridge: William David Homes’ plan for 115 houses was refused by the council due to green belt concerns, traffic impact, and wildlife protection issues. The applicant has appealed, with a planning inquiry set for December 2. This site remains excluded from the draft local plan.
-
Chester Road, Streetly: St Philips has submitted outline applications for up to 200 homes on an 8.75-hectare green belt site. While officially green belt, the developer’s agents argue it qualifies as grey belt land.
-
Stonnall Road, Aldridge: Avison Young is conducting a public consultation for 355 homes on land currently designated as green belt but previously proposed for development in a now-shelved Black Country Local Plan. This entire site is included in the latest draft.
-
Vernon Way, Bloxwich: Walsall Council has applied for outline permission to develop 73 homes on the former Sneyd Community School site, classified as green belt but proposed for mixed use in the draft plan. The application decision is still pending after 18 months.
-
Greenwood Road, Aldridge: Wain Estates aims to build 60 homes on green belt land not currently included in the draft local plan, with no formal application submitted yet.
Additional green belt parcels under consideration by the council include sites near Calderfields Golf Club, Lichfield Road in Brownhills, fields west of Maybrook Industrial Estate in Walsall Wood, and Stafford Road in Bloxwich.
A Walsall Council spokesperson emphasized: “An up-to-date Local Plan empowers both the council and residents to influence where and how development occurs, safeguarding our environment and heritage while encouraging sustainable growth. Without it, we risk losing control over planning decisions and missing vital regeneration opportunities.”
Residents have until Friday, December 19, 2025, to submit their feedback on the draft plan. The council invites everyone to have their say and shape Walsall’s housing future.