Sandwell homes development sparks environmental concerns

Locals have gathered to launch a campaign against a new council development as plans involve a ‘vital’ green space being built on.

It has been reported that 200 objections have been sent to Sandwell Council after plans to construct 190 homes and a school on the site of the former Brandhall Golf Club were announced.

The council originally proposed over 500 homes, a park, and a school, but reconsidered after pressure from Brandhall Green Space Action Group.

Following this, last year cabinet members confirmed they would go ahead with plans for the redevelopment but reduced the number of homes to 190. A new school and public park would also be created at the site under proposals.

However, a resident who lives opposite the green space wrote in an objection letter: ‘It will have a disastrous impact on wildlife. Being a local resident, and using the green space, I have encountered a large array of different wildlife.’

Although the 116-year-old club has been closed since 2019, campaigners say they will ‘fight until the end’ to save the land which they say is home to more than 2000 trees and wildlife.

Another objection letter read: ‘It’s my belief [that] less trees will increase the effects of climate change and will add to noise and air pollution in this already congested area – which lacks green space. We need more, not less.

‘I am also concerned about extra traffic on Wolverhampton Road, already heavily congested, especially during rush hour. The area is already a floodplain, and this will only get worse if we lose more green land.’

Sandwell councillor Jay Anandou, founder of BGSAG, said: ‘The land is historic and must be saved. It’s diverse and offers freshwater streams and has incredible wildlife.

‘When I issued a motion in 2021 asking the council to save the land from development, the then-Labour leader assured me that whatever the people decided in a public consultation would be what was implemented.’

A decision on the planning application is expected to be delivered by the local authority within the coming weeks.

Image: Markus Spiske