A BIG housing plan on former golf course land and green space in Oldbury has been approved in Sandwell despite overwhelming objections from residents, and amid claims the decision was a ‘stitch-up’.

A packed public gallery and a 50-person demonstration outside Sandwell Council’s chambers heard the Labour-led local authority approve the decision unanimously, to cries of “shame”, “they’re smirking”, and “stitch-up” in the gallery. 

Sandwell Council had intended to build 550 houses, a new public park, and a new school on the former Brandhall Golf Course site. But political pressure from Brandhall Green Space Action Group (BGSAG), who wished to keep the green space as undeveloped as possible, and a public consultation where 83 per cent of individuals objected to the plans, had forced the local authority to reconsider.

Councillors considered five different options and decided to provide a new primary school to replace the existing Causeway Green Primary School, where buildings are now ageing and no longer economical to maintain.

They picked option three – to build 190 new houses, a school, and develop a 26-hectare park. They also approved the majority of the site as a zone for nature conservation.

Sandwell Council has adopted a “brownfield first” policy, but admitted even using all brownfield sites available in the borough would still leave “a significant shortfall” in how many new homes the government has calculated Sandwell will need over the coming years.

Campaigners for the group say rare mushrooms, badgers, muntjac deer and critically endangered birds have been spotted on the site.

Glynnis Scott, who lives in Oldbury, said: “The area needs countryside. We are in a climate emergency. Why take away the trees and what is good for health and mental health in the first place? It’s shocking." 

Kathy Collins, aged 60, said: “The space itself mitigates against all the pollution on the Wolverhampton Road. Do we really need this space developed and even more traffic on our roads?”

During the meeting, Peter Hughes, cabinet member responsible for regeneration and growth, explained the council’s decision in a pre-written speech.

He said: “This is a finely balanced decision to make. Option three provides some housing, replacement school and retaining 70 per cent of the site as publicly accessible open space enables the council to meet some of its strategic needs, whilst also ensuring the sizeable part of the site is kept as green space. 

“I am also committing the council to work closely with the Wildlife Trust to ensure that wherever possible steps are taken to protect ecology and enhanced biodiversity. Therefore on balance, I believe option three, is the most pragmatic approach and cabinet take.”

Councillor Hughes said other green spaces had been considered for the development but were deemed “not suitable”. 

Councillor Jay Anandou, said the council must take the residents’ views seriously.

Further scrutiny came from councillors Ellen Fenton and Paul Moore who asked for the decision to be “called in”.

Brandhall Golf Course was once run by Sandwell Council. It closed in May 2020 after the council said it was spending £275,000 a year subsiding it. 

A final visit for cabinet members to the golf course was scheduled for July 17 but the leader of Sandwell Council, Cllr Kerrie Carmichael, and Cllr Peter Hughes, the cabinet member responsible for regeneration and growth, did not attend.