Jubilee woodland considered as site for new school

The works by the Department of Education has left parts of the park impassable, because of slicks of mud

Tests are being carried out by the government at a park in Walsall, to determine if the site is a suitable location to build a school.

The exploratory works, by the Department of Education (DfE), at Reedswood Park, include vegetation clearance and an assessment of groundworks.

However, the idea of using the site has been criticised by former ward councillor, Chris Jones, who said its woodland had been planted to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

The DfE has been approached for a statement.

Currently, the beauty spot is inaccessible because of the works, which has turned the canal towpath and Raybolds Bridge, into a slick of mud.

"This is a living and developing tribute to [Queen Elizabeth's] reign," said Mr Jones.

"We’ve pointed out that this area has many schools, and there’s a shortage of schools in a different area of the borough.

"The woodland area is close to one of the most heavily polluted in the area."

Permission was given for a new school in the area last year, but a location for it is yet to be agreed

Before the trees were donated to create the woodland, the area was home to Reedswood Golf Course, which closed in 2007.

This year, the park was one of the winners of the Green Flag Award, and in 2021, it was registered as an Asset of Community Value.

The DfE gave permission last year to build a new school in the borough, but the location has still to be chosen.

The school would provide an additional 1,100 new places for children in the borough, plans have revealed.

"The work is taking place over a number of weeks and will test the feasibility of the proposed site," said councillor Pardeep Kaur, portfolio holder for education and skills at Walsall Council.

A report following the work is due to be complete by the end of the year.