It is with concern I have noted inclusion of Site 18: Sharmans Cross Road - the land used by the Arden Lawn Tennis Club and the land of the disused rugby pitches (former Birmingham and Solihull Bees) - a 2.8 ha site which is located in a mature residential suburb to the west of Solihull town centre, within the Solihull Local Plan Review DRAFT Concept Masterplans January 2019 (Solihull Local Plan Site Allocations - Masterplans).

This is contrary to the 2013 Solihull MBC all party committee meeting affirmation as Council's policy that the they would not sell the freehold of the site, nor lift the covenants regarding the sites only being used for sporting purposes and as ancillary to sport/recreation.

It is therefore of great concern to see that the site has been listed as available for up to 100 residential dwellings.

There are sound planning reasons why the land should not be developed:

* The character and distinctiveness of the locality will be lost forever.
* Loss of established trees and green wildlife area.
* Housing density would be increased 4-5 times that of the surrounding area.
* Inadequate parking in the locality would intensify additional on road parking in the area.
* Existing local infrastructure, such as GP surgeries & schools, which are already overstretched, would not cope with the increase in residents.

I respectfully demand that SMBC reaffirms and commits to adhere to the policy decision it took in 2013 - Solihull needs more investment in recreational and sporting facilities, not less.