I wish to thank the Green Party for the recent local news to build 15,000 properties over
15 years in our borough.

I was grateful to receive your news letter to indicate where the eight number sites for retirement and care homes are intended to be built or now built. I am pleased to see the sites are replacing existing premises that are no longer required. The important thing to me is they do not take up additional land.

However, I am concerned with the new proposals to build 15,000 homes which will take up considerable areas in sites (2) and (3) as per the outlined plans. I live in Shirley West, a well established area. Most of these houses have conventional drives, a garage and a garden.

When I travel along Tanhouse Lane I believe I am in the country side. It makes you feel good because of the green fields to the left as you travel towards Beckets Farm. I foresee that coming to an end because the houses to be built will extend from the Dickens Heath complex right up to Tanhouse Lane. It’s a maize and difficult to find your way out. Most of the houses are cramped together. Their front doors face the road, have no drives and have very little space at the back of them providing very little privacy.

No wonder a lot of them have gone up for sale. That’s what you get in a “design and build” contract. The main contractor will dominate the schemes to the point of the no.
of properties. In turn decide on who will work on the schemes starting with an architect and other specialist professions ie do as I say.

I may be wrong but it seems to me the main contractor will benefit the most.

You mention in your report the present doctors are under a lot of pressure. I agree with your comment, Ultimately new surgeries/health care centres will need to be introduced.
The same principal will apply to new schools. A financial matter but necessary.

Our road network is also under pressure. Any new road out of each complex will end up onto existing quite narrow lanes. A fair problem for Highway Engineers

Each area in my opinion besides the usual water and electrify supply infrastructure should have a gas supply. It’s not time yet to say all homes will all be electric. I do know sometimes the gas supply is omitted which of course saves a lot of money.

If Solihull MBC want to be recognised for the build of desirable properties and attract people to the areas I hope they, a team of in-house specialists, address some of my thoughts. It would be a good idea for the planning officers to seek advice from these people beginning with the chief architect.

It should not be a case of total no’s but reasonable no’s to satisfy local people too!