Dear Sirs,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal in the LDP that the old rugby ground in Sharman's Cross Road be used for a major (67 mixed properties) housing development.

In particular, I note that as recently as 2013 a SMBC all-party committee affirmed, as policy, that they would not sell the freehold of the site or lift the covenants regarding the sites only being used for sporting purposes and as ancillaries to sport. i would, therefore, expect these covenants and the council's affirmation to be honoured. Sporting amenities / playing fields once lost will never be recovered.

In addition, the number of housing units proposed is very significantly (four times) above the housing density of the surrounding area. At the same time, such a level of new building would create a significant increase in traffic flow and concomitant parking problems in and around Sharman Cross Road. In the last five years traffic congestion has become a significant problem in this part of Solihull and the above level of building can only make it worse. Any idea that the traffic problem could be alleviated by running a road out on to Winterbourne Road would be total folly, as well as be damaging / fatal to the future prospects of a first class tennis club.

There would also be significant new pressure on medical and school capacity, which are already under strain.

I, therefore, urge the PSP, council officers and councillors, as well as the Solihull M.P. to maintain the historic covenants and seek the removal of this development from the L.D.P., as son as possible.