New homes target for Walsall’s draft local plan set at 15,000
The leader of Walsall council says brownfield sites will form the basis of the borough’s expansion over the next 15 years, ahead of the formal publication of its draft local plan next month.
A six-week consultation on the new plan, which is expected to be adopted in 2027 and run until 2042, will get underway in November following approval by the council’s cabinet this week.
Under current preferred proposals, almost 15,000 homes are set to be built in the borough over the term – 75% of Walsall’s housing need – while a further 5,000 will be “exported” to other local authorities.
Around 900 new homes are expected to be built in a rejuvenated Walsall town centre, part of a £1.5bn plan to overhaul the wider area which includes major changes to the town’s railway station and Saddler Centre shopping arcade.
Kier Construction were appointed to carry out the first phase of the scheme, known as the connected gateway project, in June this year.
Ten sites which are currently in the green belt are named as possible locations for sustainable urban development in the plan, with the council stating it has “little option” but to use land in green belt areas due to a lack of suitable locations.
“In recent decades almost all new homes in Walsall have been provided on previously developed land,” said the draft local plan document.
“Most of this has become available as a result of the decline of heavy industry and mining. The supply of land from this source has almost run out. What remains is often unstable or contaminated, and is only suitable for industrial or storage uses.
“We therefore think that there is little option but to allocate land for housing that is currently Green Belt, if this housing target is to be met in Walsall.”
A total of 4,440 affordable homes are set to be delivered as part of the plan, or 261 per year.
Around 215 acres of employment land has also been identified as part of the draft proposals, which represents 100% of the borough’s requirements until 2042.
“It’s really important that local people have their say on the draft local plan. We’re producing a plan that’s right for Walsall, because the government has instructed local authorities to do so before December 2026,” said Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council.
“Walsall’s draft Local Plan will focus on using brownfield land first and any changes to the Green Belt will be looked at very carefully. We want to make sure we’re protecting the areas that are important to us, whilst shaping plans for developments that work for our communities.”
The draft plan is expected to be launched for consultation early next month with an online feedback portal, as well as physical exhibitions set to be staged around the borough.
