Transport for West Midlands is proposing some changes to the 424 bus service, still affectionately known as the “Sadie bus”. The main change for Great Barr is that will be split into two routes to eliminate the existing routes tendency to double back on itself. A result of this is that the route that serves […]

Following the long-delayed opening of the new A&E and critical care unit at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick, the A&E Department at Sandwell General Hospital has been closed. It is now being called an Urgent Treatment Centre. As a result, we recommend that people call 111 if they need help after an accident. […]

Walsall Council is holding some public consultations on its plans to review the boundaries of the Great Barr Conservation Area, as indicated in the plan shown below.At the moment, this area includes: Great Barr Hall and its lakes and  grounds, Merrion’s Wood, The Duckery, Great Barr Golf Club, Barr Beacon, Beacon Farm, Pinfold Lane, and Doe Bank Farm. The plans could see the Conservation Area […]

Sandwell Lib Dem Chair, Mark Smith, joined other Great Barr residents and campaigners who spoke at a Public Inquiry into a Planning appeal at the Council House, in mid July. This resulted in the developer’s appeal being dismissed. This was a victory for local residents and protection of the Green Belt. You can read the full […]

Mark joined local residents at the start of the Public Inquiry into Wain Estates (Land) Ltd’s appeal against Sandwell decision to reject their plans for Peak House Farm, on Tuesday 9 July, and spoke. The site is part of the Green Belt, but also enjoys other legal protection in addition to this. As other objectors […]

Sadie and Mark have submitted the following comments to the Planning Inspectorate regarding Wain’s plans to build houses on the Peak House Farm site. As members of the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, we are also concerned about the impact the loss of habitat will have on local wildlife. Recognizing the need to preserve […]

Developer, Wain Estates Ltd, have appealed against the Council’s decision to refuse permission for its plans to build on Peak House Farm farmland. This will now be decided by a Public Inquiry. The inquiry will start on Tuesday 9 July 2024, and is scheduled to last for six days. However, any comments on or objections to the plans […]

We are sad to report that developers are still circumventing their requirement to include at least 10% of affordable housing in new developments in Sandwell. The latest example is The Parade, off Hall Green Road in West Bromwich. Despite assurances that it would include affordable housing the developer is now citing viability as an excuse […]

We are pleased to see that the Post Office Horizon scandal is finally getting the attention it deserves from politicians. Ministers from all Parties were too naive and trusting of the lies they were being fed by the Post Office and Fujitsu. It is bosses there, not sub-postmasters running Post Office branches, or Posties, that […]

Property developer, Wain Estates want to build on the Peak House Farm site off Wilderness Lane.Ref: DC/23/68822 The 2020 proposal to build 1,000 houses on the site was not included in the DRaft Black Country Plan, and the site is still designated as unsuitable for housing by Sandwell Council.  However, they are trying again, this […]

Local Liberal Democrats have slammed Nicola Richards for voting against  a compensation scheme for swimmers who get sick from sewage. The amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron, would have allowed anyone who gets sick as a result of illegal sewage dumping to claim compensation from water companies. However, […]