Comment

Representation ID: 16860

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Friends of the Earth

Agent: Gerald Kells

And while Walsall FoE is not in a position to analyse in detail the overall
housing need and supply numbers, we are aware of other environmental
groups, such as CPRE, which are in a better position to do so and we share
their concern that the Council is relying on out-of-date housing forecasts from
the ONS.
We would urge the council, along with the other three authorities, to review
the availability of brownfield land and to assess new sources, such as
redundant industrial land and excess retail accommodation, especially in our
existing centres. We believe the council should be seeking more mixed use
and housing development close to and within centres to make them more
viable and reduce travel.
This should allow the council to reduce, or preferably remove the need for
additional housing on the edge of the conurbation in the Green Belt and on
high ecological value sites within the Borough.