Proposed Developments In Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Plan
Having attended many of the above forums we are writing to lodge our disapproval to the proposed Arden Triangle development which will entail demolishing Arden School and the Mind Horticultural site in favour of a new Arden School, new St George and Theresa School in exchange for 750 new houses. How can Mr Murphy the Head Teacher at Arden say "we will have a new £30 million school for free". This is an extremely costly and ridiculous statement to make. Arden School has spent in the region of £15 million of new buildings in the last approx. 10 years and to demolish these would be a total waste of taxpayers money at a time of austerity. What parts of the old school that remain could easily be updated and modernised for relatively little cost in comparison to the "deal" being proposed.

I understand the proposed plans on 2 sites in Knowle will result in over 1,000 dwellings being built, not including those sites that have already received planning consent which is certainly the lion's share for the whole of the Borough. The residents of Knowle already face horrendous traffic problems with most roads being used for car parking throughout the week. Knowle is gridlocked so can you imagine what it would be like with the proposed 750 houses (1,500 cars) making their way through Knowle High Street. The village of Knowle would be changed for ever and there would be no going back. One man's aspirations is causing so much division and upset throughout Knowle and he has only lived in the area for a relatively short period. (This is not the first time the Head Teacher of Arden School has got above their position.) The educational standards are declining so would it not be better for the Head Teacher to concentrate on these. After all no one will want to come and live here if the school has not got the reputation it had in the past.

Also with the new Sports facilities proposed in Hampton Lane the people of Knowle could use these, so where is the need for a further sports complex. After all Arden School has not been exactly forthcoming in allowing the usage of their facilities so why duplicate. Another case of money wasted!

In addition to the above the Mind site in Greswolde Walk which has been established for 20 years is to be bulldozed to make way for St George and Theresa's School (there current site to be developed for even more houses). Talking of robbing Peter to pay Paul and those with the loudest voices shouting the loudest. At least the pupils do have a school, the colleagues at Mind would have nothing. Mind is a lifeline for 40 people and the fantastic work they have done on the site is incredible and inspirational. How many of you have visited the site in recent years?

Caroline Spelman wrote an article in The Observer on 12th January saying "For too long there hasn't been enough focus on mental healthcare in this country". She called it "A hidden injustice" and went on to say "people in the Solihull Borough can receive the compassion, care and the treatment they need and deserve". Where is the compassion here in her own constituency or once again are these just empty words and saying what people want to hear but with no sincerity. Just remind yourselves what affect removing this facility would have on their mental wellbeing having worked so incredibly hard. Could you live with your conscience!

We are not against more housing but not on the scale that is proposed. The mass impact of 750 new homes, two schools in one area would be totally destructive.

Finally, what is the point of setting up neighbourhood forums to give residents more say on these matters if their concerns are to be ignored and overruled by the Council or is this another case of lip service!!