New battle to save wildlife corridor from homes

A WILDLIFE corridor in Oldbury could be destroyed for new homes with controversial plans returning just four years after campaigners fought off a move to build on the green space.

New plans for the 100-year-old site next to the M5 in Oldbury have been unveiled after a previous move to build warehouses was rejected by Sandwell Council.

The scheme is for 60 ‘affordable’ homes on the land behind the Asda supermarket off Wolverhampton Road, which is home to badgers, foxes and birds and acts as an important barrier to protect homes from M5 pollution. It has been drawn up by housing developer Countryside.

Campaigners previously won what was described as a ‘David and Goliath’ battle with London-based developer Canmoor for the two industrial units, loading bays and service yard in 2019.

A petition of objection with more than 20,000 signatures was handed to Sandwell Council’s planning committee, which rejected the application. Countryside argued the new homes would help address a “critical need” for affordable housing across Sandwell.

A mix of one-bed flats and two-tofour-bed homes have been included in the plans.

At least seven trees would be cut down to make way for the new homes, the application said.

But while the green space was so highly sought by locals that they battled to protect it, the application by Countryside calls the space “brownfield, derelict and vacant.”

“The development will provide an attractive, high-quality environment for local residents who are in need of affordable housing,” a statement included with the application said.

“The scale and character of the proposals will ensure that the scheme will contribute to and enhance the immediate and surrounding area making use of a brownfield, derelict and vacant site.

“It is concluded that the development warrants the support of Sandwell Council and that full planning permission should be granted.”