Object

Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020

Representation ID: 14130

Received: 14/12/2020

Respondent: Tom Walls

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

> Tennis courts of our property at 262 Station Road are identified as development land. This is incorrect and must be corrected immediately.
> Vehicular access has been permitted through Barretts Farm for generations to maintain trees and ponds. There is no allowance for this permitted access.
> Land abutting property is a wildlife haven and a green nature reserve must be retained in the plans between the existing village and the new development.
> Narrows Green Belt divide between village and Coventry.
> Object to the location of the relief road. There are no environmental plans provided for this road and as such this proposal is not sound.
> A lack of coastal winds in this area results in a very high incidence of hay fever and asthma suffers. This will be further exacerbated by traffic pollutants.
> No study on impact of noise and vibration being built by HS2.

Full text:

I wish to make a representation regarding the proposal for housing on Barretts Farm which adjoins our residence. My wife and I have lived in the village for 40 years and are both shocked at the timing of the final draft plan during a pandemic. It shows a complete disregard for the older generation like our selves who are shielding. The concept masterplan has errors, is unsound, unclear and incomplete.

I wish to raise and object to the following points,

1. Tennis courts of our property at 262 Station Road are identified as development land. This is incorrect and must be corrected immediately.

2. Vehicular access has been permitted through Barretts Farm for generations to maintain trees and ponds. There is no allowance for this permitted access. This must be corrected immediately.

3. I strongly object to the development of housing abutting the boundary of our property. This land is a wildlife haven, full of all manner of animals, birds, insects and plants. A green nature reserve must be retained in the plans between the existing village and the new development to ensure the survival of this wildlife as without this access corridor these species will die.

4. I strongly object to the housing development at Barretts Farm as it narrows the green belt between the village and Coventry.

5. I strongly object to the location of the primary school on Station Road. This has been an area of significant special interest and an ecological importance to the village for decades. The old brick making ponds attract a diversity of wildlife which is second to none in the village and surrounding area.


6. I strongly object to the location of the relief road. There are no environmental plans provided for this road and as such this proposal is not sound. No noise and atmospheric pollution studies have been provided. Balsall Common and Meriden are at the heart of England, as such we are land locked. Without coastal winds this area has a very high incidence of hay fever and asthma suffers. This will be further exacerbated by traffic pollutants.

To develop housing along the side of HS2 when there are no studies of the potential impact of noise and vibration on housing is unsound and indeed negligent.

7. I strongly object to position of the relief road and school on the grounds that they are unsafe, pose a threat to the lives of children and the wider community. The concept master plan provides no traffic surveys or consideration for the bottle neck of Hallmeadow Road, the Low bridge under the existing railway, HS2, the school and the relief road. This is unsound, unsafe and should be addressed immediately. The school must be positioned more centrally within the housing development or on Waste Lane as originally planned.

8. The proposal of a retail park on the edge of the village has been made without an assessment of community needs and wants. The community within the village commute. There is no need for additional shops. The local community require greenspaces, parks, trees, a decent playground for children and a leisure centre. This would be ideally placed on Frog Lane near the secondary school in order to enhance recreational facilities and opportunities for youngsters but also all generations.

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