Walsall is set to get two new schools to address a shortage of places, but not everyone is happy. Concerns arise over the impact on local woodland and existing facilities.
Walsall: The Department for Education wants to build two new schools in the area. One will be a secondary school with 1,100 spaces. The other will be a special educational needs (SEN) school for 300 students aged three to 19.
They haven’t decided on a location yet, but Reedswood Park is a possible site for the secondary school. Both schools will be free schools, funded directly by the government.
However, not everyone is on board with the plan. MP Valerie Vaz has raised concerns about building at Reedswood Park. She points out that it would mean cutting down trees planted to honor Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.
Vaz suggests using the empty Sneyd Community School instead. She believes it’s a good option that could save taxpayers money. But Walsall Council leader Garry Perry says the old school needs a lot of work to be usable again.
A petition to save the Vernon Way school has gained over 1,400 signatures. Many locals want it to be reopened rather than demolished.
Former councillor Chris Jones also opposes the Reedswood Park site. He argues that the woodland is a better tribute to the late Queen than the corgi statues unveiled last year.
Meanwhile, Walsall Council is seeking permission to demolish the Sneyd Community School and build 73 homes on that site. This area is green belt land, and Perry has stated that he doesn’t support any development there.
The decision on the demolition application was initially set for July 2024 but has now been pushed to March 14, 2025.
