Decision due on £25m Bloxwich park plans

Plans to replace an unloved sports pavilion and build artificial pitches in a Walsall park look set to be rubber-stamped by committee members this week, after planning officers gave the scheme a notional thumbs-up.

The redevelopment of King George V park in Bloxwich is part of a £25m government-funded project which will see three Walsall parks brought up to date via wholesale regeneration schemes, with Walsall Council saying revenue generated by the new pavilion will go towards future maintenance of parkland in the borough.

Several improved sports areas will be created as part of the Robothams-designed scheme, including a new artificial football pitch, a multi-use games area containing netball and tennis courts, along with a new pavilion building containing a café, events space, changing rooms, toilets and showers.

The new pavilion will include a “large viewpoint” out to the surrounding playing fields, as well as a 600 sq ft community events area, convertible to a space for larger events via the addition of a movable dividing wall. A 52-space car-park extension included in the scheme would also help alleviate parking problems in nearby Bealys Lane, the council says, bringing total parking at the site to around 140 cars.

The application has been recommended for approval by planning officers, ahead of a committee meeting tomorrow (12 February).

“The proposed scheme would enhance local sporting facilities, extend the existing car park and the replacement pavilion would upgrade existing changing facilities and provide a small café and community
space for users of the park,” read a report by the council’s planning officer.

The project team on the development includes Walsall Council, Atkins Realis and Robothams Architects.

Documents and plans relating to the application can be found on Walsall Council’s planning portal using reference: 25/0843