The Site
The proposed development site falls within the administrative boundary of Walsall Council (“WC”). The site is located to the east of Aldridge town centre and sits outside, but adjacent to the built-up area boundary [BUAB].
It is approximately 7.8 hectares (Ha) in size and mostly comprises grassland divided into grazing paddocks, hardstanding with stables located to the east of the site. Mature tree planting is located to the north-west.
The boundaries of the site are defined by tree and hedgerow planting to the east, the A454 and mature planting to the south, a post and wire fence with scrub planting to the north, and a chicken-wire fence to the west.
Site Location Plan
Click image to enlarge
The site provides direct access via Little Aston Road to Blake Street railway station (2.7 miles away), which offers regular journeys to Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Lichfield. The sites position adjacent to Little Aston Road also presents convenient vehicular access to wider settlements, in particular Walsall and Sutton Coldfield via the A452.
​
The closest public transport links are located along Little Aston adjacent to the south east part of the site, (within couple minutes’ walk). Bus service including the National Express 6 bus provide connections to and from Walsall and Sutton Coldfield, stopping at various intermediary stops.
The site is sustainably located on the eastern edge of Aldridge in close proximity to a range of existing facilities, including; secondary, first/middle schools and nursery, pharmacy, post office, dental and doctors surgeries, pubs, restaurants, takeaways, and shops.
Planning Policy
It is recognised that the site is currently designated as Green Belt in the adopted – but out-of-date – Development Plan. The Government is clear on the critical need to boost the supply of homes nationally and has recently revised the National Planning Policy Framework (2024) to increase the need for housing in Walsall Council and include provisions for where development is acceptable in the Green Belt.
In particular, the revised NPPF introduced ‘Grey Belt’, which is land within the Green Belt considered to not strongly contribute towards three of the purposes of the Green Belt, in areas sustainably located and where there is a demonstrable need for housing.
In light of Walsall Council’s Local Plan Review early stages and the acute need for housing, it is considered that Land at Little Aston Road can be classified as ‘Grey Belt’ land in a sustainable location. It is therefore not inappropriate development within the Green Belt and it is acceptable in principle.
​
​Draft Regulation 18 Plan has proposed numerous housing allocations. The land south of Little Aston Road, which is located directly opposite of the proposed development site (land north of Little Aston Road) has been proposed as one of the allocations within the emerging Local Plan, among other types of allocations. It is clear that the Council has envisaged the strategic growth to move eastwards of Aldridge.