I am writing to object to the council’s latest plans to build yet more housing in the green belt area, destroying ancient woodland and hedgerows, adding to increased traffic and therefore air pollution . I am sure my objections will fall on deaf ears as over the years I have watched this council repeatedly ignore the green belt protection and fine ways around it in order to build more and more housing. We are currently experiencing a pandemic like no other and again and again it has highlighted the poor mental health of many people, particularly young people. Open space and fresh air has been identified as a key measure people can take in order to improve their mental health and well being. The brain responds positively to being able to see open space and horizons. And yet, as a council, you are planning to destroy the little open space we have left in the area. The cost of poor mental health to the country is enormous and as a society, we should be doing all we can to prevent mental health decline and to support active living in peaceful countryside. As residents in the local area, we should continue to have our football clubs and our walks through ancient woodland, our time for peace and reflection. It is laughable to call this new development DIckens Heath as it is too far removed from the village centre to be able to access amenities easily and will probably lead to more driving. More houses means more people means more cars. You created a ‘village’ many years ago when Dickens Heath was first built but in reality it has become nothing more than. A giant housing development, a conurbation of Birmingham and Solihull.
I believe Solihull council has an appalling track record when it comes to protecting the green belt and wildlife, and supporting the mental well-being of its residents. As someone who works at the forefront of that, I see the results of those poor, financially driven decisions on a daily basis.

Stop destroying our open spaces. Leave something for the future that others can enjoy. Keep Solihull a lovely place to live.