Walsall Council Approves Major Investment for New Free School on Woodland Site
In a significant move for local education, Walsall Council has given the green light to a £1 million spend and a 125-year lease for a new free school on Reedswood Park woodland. This decision marks a pivotal step in a project that will see the first school open in Walsall in over four decades, addressing long-standing educational needs in the community.
Approval of Funding and Lease Terms
During a cabinet meeting on February 11, council leaders approved the allocation of £1 million to the Department for Education (DfE) to initiate work on the new £50 million facility. Additionally, they sanctioned a 125-year lease for the Reedswood Park woodland site, which spans 13.7 acres and will be transformed into a school catering to 1,000 students. The Windsor Academy Trust has been appointed to operate the school, with the DfE identifying Reedswood Park as the preferred location.
The council emphasized that without this £50 million investment, it would have to fund the necessary additional school places from its own capital budget. This project, which has been in development for at least a decade, aims to meet statutory duties to provide sufficient school places close to families' homes, thereby reducing travel times and enhancing accessibility.
Controversy and Environmental Concerns
Despite the council's enthusiasm, the project has faced opposition from critics who argue that alternative existing school sites would be more cost-effective and less environmentally damaging. The loss of 13.7 acres of public woodland, which has held Green Flag status for the last three years and is designated as an Asset of Community Value, has raised concerns about habitat destruction and climate implications.
However, the council has reported no negative health, wellbeing, or climate impacts from the development. Deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew expressed confusion over the opposition, stating, "I struggle with how anyone can oppose an investment in our young people and future generations of £45 million." He dismissed claims linking the project to the local plan as "complete and utter nonsense," noting that the draft local plan allocates the site for 94 homes, not the school.
Historical Context and Future Steps
The Reedswood Park woodland has a rich history, originally part of the Reedswood Colliery and later the former Walsall Power Station. After the power station's decommissioning and demolition in 1987, a nine-hole municipal golf course was established on the site, which closed in 2007. The area's transformation into a school represents a new chapter in its use.
The free school funding was approved by the DfE on the condition that the site be transferred on a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent, with the council's £1 million contribution offsetting some of the abnormal development costs, estimated at £4.6 million. While the cabinet has approved the project, it remains subject to planning permission. If the DfE fails to secure planning approval, the lease will not be completed, and the payment will not be made.
Leadership Perspectives and Community Impact
Councillor Mark Statham, portfolio holder for education, highlighted the excitement surrounding the project, noting that Walsall was chosen as one of 16 locations across England to receive a new free school. He pointed out that the investment could bring approximately £45-50 million in central funding, along with social value through jobs, apprenticeships, and local economic expenditure. "If the local plan is enacted in its entirety, it'll bring 18,000 properties to this borough over 15 years," he added, emphasizing the need for future school places.
Leader of the authority, Councillor Mike Bird, reinforced the educational benefits, stating, "This is about education and sadly we have to educate the non-believers and the non-understanding individuals. This is a major step forward for education and our children in Walsall." He underscored the rarity of receiving £50 million for a new school, framing it as a transformative opportunity for the community.
As the project moves forward, it continues to spark debate between proponents of educational advancement and those concerned about environmental preservation, shaping the future landscape of Walsall's education and green spaces.
