The new boundaries were drawn up after surveys by experts to ensure natural habitats, geological features and wildlife corridors are recognised by authorities.

The sites include areas of Delph Locks which are to be added to the already existing Site of Importance for Nature Conservation designation. Grange Park in Dudley and Mousesweet Brook Valley in Cradley have Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation status and are to be extended.

Ahead of the decision being approved by the council’s cabinet at their October meeting, Councillor Paul Bradley, Dudley’s deputy leader, said: “We know that appeals against decisions by the council to refuse planning permission have a greater chance of success if information held in the Local Plan is dated or incomplete. So it is critical that we do these surveys.

“The ecological reports we carried out have confirmed that these three sites remain important for wildlife and biodiversity, and indeed that we need to expand their boundaries and afford them further protection.”

In a report for the meeting Helen Martin, the council’s director of regeneration, said 19th century Delph locks in Brierley Hill “have varied flora and fauna associated with the aquatic habitats and have high historic and aesthetic value”.

She added: “This area of canal has a significantly higher ecological value due to the numerous pounds and disused arm of the original canal line which are more sheltered and infrequently used by canal traffic.”

Grange Park near Dudley town centre is made up of a park of grassland to the east and scrub and grassland bordered by wooded arrears to the east. Councillors approved adding the western area to its SLNIC designation after being told the change would  increase the SLINC’s structural diversity and add robustness by creating a cohesive block. 

 Mousesweet Valley is an important wildlife corridor linking nature reserves at Saltwells and Bumble Hole/Warrens Hall. Councillors agreed to extend the corridor’s boundaries to include Potential Sites of Importance identified during the surveys.