Saltwells Nature Reserve to have permanent base built after 10 year battle to protect land

It will be the first permanent building on the site in nearly a decade and it is hoped the move will end the threat of housing developments on the 247 acre-reserve.

The old base near the former Saltwells House was demolished in 2010. Since then developers have shown interest with a recent application to build nine homes there.

But there was a wave of opposition against those plans with more than 1,000 people backing a campaign against it before Dudley Council rejected it.

Now the council has agreed to invest thousands of pounds in building a new base which will go on council-owned land next to the entrance of the site in Coppice Lane.

The new reserve building will provide a base for the wardens and will include a classroom for children. It will also provide a base for the Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve with the long-term vision for it to be further developed into a fully-fledged visitor centre with school visits, educational activities and forest schooling opportunities.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environment, highways and street services said: “We know that not only is there a real business need for a new, purpose-built base on site but also that there is a real community drive for this.

We’ve decided that investing in Saltwells will benefit the reserve, the immediate community and the younger generation through a range of educational, training and apprenticeship opportunities.”

Proposals go to cabinet today and if agreed, tenders will be sought.