I am e-mailing to give you my opinion on the draft plan as I am a resident of Balsall Common.
I have looked at the plan and I have attended the consultation days put on by Solihull council.

I appreciate that there is a shortage of housing, especially affordable housing, and that Balsall Common and Berkswell need to have it's share of new builds; however I am very concerned about the numbers proposed in this area and the impact they will have on the local community and the environment.

Much of the proposed building will be on green field sites which will be detrimental to local wildlife and to how the local community are able to access that land, which improves their health and well-being.

I understand that three brown field sites were put forward as alternatives for some of the green belt, but the council has just chosen to build on those as well.

I am concerned that the current facilities in Balsall Common will not be able to meet the needs of so many new people into the village, particularly the health centre and the village centre.

I am aware that you are planning to build a primary school, which will be essential.

I am worried about what the plan will be for access, particularly into the Barrett's Farm development. There has long been a proposal for a through road from Hall Meadow Road and that would seem to be the best and safest option for the access to this site. Other proposals to provide access via Meeting House Lane would simply not be safe or viable. There is no opportunity for pavements either side, and it is also very narrow already, particularly at the chicane by the tennis club, where there is often already frequent road rage in regards to whose right of way it is. Added to this, Meeting House Lane is also very beautiful and it would be a shame for the village to lose it's character.

Finally, I am concerned about the disruption to the village, bearing in mind the difficulties that HS2 is going to cause for a long time to come. I would hope that this would be borne in mind when discussions take place as to when the building should start. I would also hope that the building plan would be seen as a whole and not in different sections so that there is structure so that the village can cope, and the building can take place safely and with sensitivity to the locals who already live here.