Object

Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020

Representation ID: 10653

Received: 30/11/2020

Respondent: Mr Kevin Thomas

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Representation Summary:

The plan disproportionately utilizes Green Belt land and is unclear as to how a "net gain" in biodiversity is achieved. Public Open Space provision is made, but this is insufficient ,lacks permanency and fails to protect the south section of Meeting House Lane. There is a lack of specific detail as to how the significant impact of additional housing on existing infrastructure and village centre will be addressed. The Plan also fails to address climate change as it understates the impact increased vehicular transport will have given existing weak transport infrastructure for travel into Coventry and Solihull.

Change suggested by respondent:

Given the significant impact on the existing village the plan should be explicit as regards to:
1. How the village centre and infrastructure will be upgraded including target dates;
2. How transport links will be upgraded;
3. Exactly how a net gain in bio-diversity is achieved, given the significant loss of green belt.

The Public open space should be permanently designated as a Village Green or equivalent to safeguard its status and should be extended to run the length of Meeting House Lane to provide an interrupted wildlife corridor. Under no circumstances should additional vehicular access be given from the development to Meeting House Lane as this would exacerbate existing traffic problems and render the lane dangerous to pedestrian traffic.

Full text:

The plan disproportionately utilizes Green Belt land and is unclear as to how a "net gain" in biodiversity is achieved. Public Open Space provision is made, but this is insufficient ,lacks permanency and fails to protect the south section of Meeting House Lane. There is a lack of specific detail as to how the significant impact of additional housing on existing infrastructure and village centre will be addressed. The Plan also fails to address climate change as it understates the impact increased vehicular transport will have given existing weak transport infrastructure for travel into Coventry and Solihull.