Three green spaces in the borough are to receive further protection to retain them for future generations.

Parts of Delph Locks in Brierley Hill is already designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Grange Park in Dudley and Mousesweet Brook Valley in Cradley are already designated as Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.

Dudley Council’s ruling cabinet will be asked to approve proposals that would expand the boundaries of protection at each site following new ecological surveys.

Such designations will form part of the Dudley Local Plan. The plan sets out a number of different policies and proposals that will help guide development and land use for at least 15 years, and will be used to make decisions on planning applications during that time. 

Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the council, 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.

“As a council we have consistently stated that we want to protect the green spaces of our borough as far as we can, so they can be enjoyed for future generations.”

The issue will be discussed at the next meeting of the cabinet, which is due to take place on Wednesday October 23. It will take place in Committee Room 2 at Dudley Council House on Priory Road, and members of the public are welcome to attend.