Major homes plan for Walsall in line for approval

Developer whg wants to build 426 homes in Goscote Lodge Crescent in Walsall as part of a major regeneration scheme in the area.

Despite a lengthy debate where various concerns were raised, the plans were approved by Walsall Council planning chiefs back in April.

But whg has since had to resubmit its plans after proposing to extend a boundary to an address an issue with uneven land.

Despite the amendment, planning officers have again recommended the plans are approved when the council's planning committee meets on Thursday - meaning work is finally set to get under way.

Of the 426 homes, 312 will be for private sale, 74 for affordable rent and 40 will be wellbeing homes - for those that want to stay in their own home but need support.

Whg say work will begin 'imminently', providing the plans are approved this week.

Mark Tranter, the firm's director of development, said: “The application that will be determined by Walsall Council’s planning committee on Thursday, 6th July 2017 has been submitted in response to the conditions that were attached once the planning application for Goscote Lane was approved by the committee in April.

"Work on the development at Goscote Lane, which is in partnership with Keepmoat, is due to start imminently, subject to this application being approved. The development forms the next step of the Goscote Lane Corridor regeneration, which is whg’s largest ever regeneration programme and will deliver a community where people are proud to live, work and play.

“The development will regenerate the area with new, high quality housing and will also provide much-needed homes for older people, enabling them to downsize to more suitable accommodation.”

At April's meeting, concerns over highways access, pedestrian safety and public footpaths were all raise while Severn Trent, which has a base next to the site, also raised fears that their transport would affect new residents.

Despite this, Walsall Council planning officer Shawn Fleet said the concerns could be 'secured' and planning committee members agreed, approving the plans after a long debate.

The Goscote Lane Corridor regeneration is a £88 million scheme to regenerate around 630 aces of land within the Blakenall and Bloxwich East wards in Walsall.

Its aim is to regenerate the wider area with new, high quality housing and attractive, usable open spaces.