An ambitious scheme to transform an old Walsall waste tip and help create around 900 jobs has moved a step closer.

Walsall Council's planning committee last night (Thursday, February 21) granted permission for a new road layout that will serve proposed new development in Moxley Road, Darlaston .

Parkhill Estates is looking to redevelop the former Moxley tip, which was in operation for more than 30 years after opening in 1940, to create industrial units.

It says it will be a significant boost to the economy and create the equivalent of 900 full time jobs once it is completed while, in the short-term, 250 jobs would be created during construction.

The decision to grant access permission to the site paves the way for the development. Changes includes creating a new signalised junction with pedestrian crossing facilities to the site from Moxley Road.

The former Moxley Tip is set to be transformed into industrial units to create 900 jobs
The former Moxley Tip is set to be transformed into industrial units to create 900 jobs

But the plans attracted objections from a number of residents concerned about the impact of extra traffic on the roads, increase in noise and the effect on air pollution.

Wednesbury firefighter Simon Fiddler told the committee: "I use that road three or four times a day and I've seen a number of accidents there.

"The traffic backs up from the junction with the Black Country Route to the dual carriageway all the time.

"We have great concerns with a school nearby and the increased levels of HGV and other vehicles."

Committee chairman Mike Bird said highways officers had not put forward any objections to the scheme. He added the site had been selected in the authority's allocated land use list in January.

Consultants on behalf of Parkhill said they had carried out tests of the junction using modelling software which indicated the junction would be suitable for a scheme of this size.

James Cannon, of Parkhill Estates, said the scheme would represent a £45 million development and would present an "excellent" opportunity to tap into billions of pounds worth of inward investment.

Planners granted outline planning permission for the road changes. A full planning application on the overall scheme is expected in future months.