Planners to decide on 355-home Walsall scheme
Walsall Council will consider the its position on a 355-home Green Belt development in Aldridge at a meeting this week, with the scheme now set to be decided by government inspectors.
Ashberry Strategic Land took its case to the Planning Inspectorate in March, accusing the authority of making “very little progress” had been made on a decision for the Stonnall Road scheme.
Outline proposals were lodged in October 2025, but target dates for determination in January and then February both passed without a decision from planners.
In a statement of case filed in July, Ashberry requested a public inquiry be held on the application, due to what it said was the “breadth, depth, number, and complexity of the issues that the appeal is likely to have to grapple with.”
The promoter argues that the site is “demonstrably Grey Belt” – disputed by Walsall Council, which says in its report that the land plays a key role in preventing urban sprawl and should remain classified as Green Belt.
The authority’s planning department said it would have recommended refusal for the scheme at the time the appeal was lodged due to its Green Belt location.
A report set to go before councillors on Thursday, 1 October, also cites council concerns over highways impact, highway safety and sustainable transport.
“The submission has not yet demonstrated that the site can be considered to become a sustainable location for development in highways terms,” said the report from Walsall Council’s planning team.
“The proposal represents a significant intensification of land use, introducing up to 355 dwellings on a site that is currently undeveloped. The resulting travel demand will be substantial and, in the absence of realistic alternatives, will be predominantly car based.”
Two priority controlled junctions proposed off Stonnall Road raised concerns over road safety, the council added.
“In the absence of clear evidence demonstrating safe and compliant access arrangements, the highway authority cannot be satisfied that the development achieves safe and suitable access for all users.”
Documents and plans relating to the application can be found on Walsall’s planning portal under reference: 25/1169
