Valerie Vaz

This petition is presented on behalf of the residents of Walsall and the United Kingdom to raise the issue of the proposed secondary school on Reedswood Park, an important community space and former golf course. The development would result in the irreversible loss of valuable green space and natural habitat, while increasing the existing pressure on the surrounding infrastructure, with concerns relating to traffic congestion, limited parking capacity and road safety. If a new secondary school is required—the data suggests it is not—alternative sites may be available, including the former Sneyd school site. There were 2,062 signatures to an online petition, and the petitioners are therefore calling on the Government “to ensure that in considering proposals for a new secondary school, full weight is given to the environmental, transport and community impact of development at Reedswood Park and to consider whether alternative sites may provide a more appropriate location.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the United Kingdom, Declares that Reedswood Park is an important community green space and that 2,063 signatories to a separate online petition oppose plans to build on the park for a new secondary school; further declares that the proposed secondary school development would be located on part of the park formerly used as a golf course; further declares that the development would result in the irreversible loss of valuable green space and natural habitats supporting local wildlife; further declares that the surrounding infrastructure is already under significant pressure, with concerns relating to traffic congestion, limited parking capacity and road safety; and further notes that, if a new secondary school is required, alternative sites may be available, including the former Sneyd School site. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to ensure that, in considering proposals for a new secondary school, full weight is given to the environmental, transport and community impacts of development at Reedswood Park, and to consider whether alternative sites may provide a more appropriate location. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003256]