investigate alternative brown field sites

DRAFT LOCAL PLAN - CONSULTATION RESPONSE


A 'Fair Deal' for Cheswick Green and Dickens Heath - NO!


I have been a resident of Cheswick Green for nearly forty years. I have therefore witnessed at first hand the dramatic changes that have taken place in the immediate and surrounding areas.

I am deeply disturbed by this current Council's proposals which if implemented would continue to devastate the local environment. This once rural area has already experienced unimaginable changes over the past twenty years with no apparent attempt by this or previous Councils to protect its green spaces. There are a number of very valid and extremely significant issues which appear to have been ignored.

1)TRAFFIC

The A34 a major hub road into Birmingham constantly experiences huge volumes of traffic - and particularly so at peak times.
Hence, similarly any road linking to the A34 becomes congested.
Creynolds Lane where I live is one such road like many others and I use it purely as an example.
I cannot safely guarantee to exit or turn into my drive at these peak times. The volume of traffic ( queues in excess of
1000 metres to the junction are not uncommon ), the speed of vehicles ( more often now well in excess of the speed limit ), the inadequate street lighting, cyclists deciding against using the road and instead using the pavement for safety are just a few illustrations. This would be what Dog Kennel Lane would become and further housing development would obviously exacerbate the problem throughout the area.

My regular communications with local Councillors has earned scant reward. Promises but no action!

2) POLLUTION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

A significant boundary between the urban sprawl of our nearby neighbour Birmingham must be maintained as it is - the land to the side of Dog Kennel Lane serves this purpose.

Pollution from traffic and from litter over say the next ten years will take its toll. There are several supermarkets and fast food outlets in close proximity and (sadly) their products find their way onto our roads. Although this is not a legacy we might wish to leave to future generations it is nonetheless a fact that the local environment will suffer badly.

3)LOCAL AMENITIES

I do not see significant or sufficient reference as to how a major increase in the local population can be supported.

Is there a guarantee that a new primary school will be built ? Where are the new Health Centres/ Doctors and pharmacies.
Surely the Council appreciate that an ageing population and young families must have access to this support. Waiting times for appointments at GP practices in the area are at present unacceptably too long.


4)RECREATION - Where will the children play?

By soaking up green field areas the Council would deprive future generations of the opportunity to appreciate countryside/wild life. A quick visit to recent housing developments reveals that new homes will have precious little garden space for children to do this.


5)REGULAR MAINTENANCE

The Council concedes that it is inadequately funded.. As a consequence it continues to struggle to maintain the existing facilities that are necessary to safely support local roads. What will be the case when 1000s more cars use them? Pot holes, damaged road signs, road signs obscured by overhanging vegetation or covered in green mould, fewer than the statutory provision of speed limiting signs, poor lighting and of course no litter collection schedules are all issues that even at present are not being safely addressed.


6)IN CONCLUSION?

a) Why use Solihull's green field sites to simply extend the expanding population of Birmingham. Say NO.

```` b) Why not thoroughly and with
honesty investigate alternative brown field sites outside the Cheswick Green parish boundary? Why should the Parish carry such a huge burden?

c)Make a determined effort to acknowledge that the area already has a serious traffic congestion issue and seek alternative sites in an attempt to diffuse the flow elsewhere.

d)Why not re-think the whole Plan - be bold! Discussions I have had recently with many local residents suggest that there is no support for it. It is the belief of many that the proposals have simply been rushed through 'under the radar' whilst the local population is distracted by pressing national issues. Or ? Are they simply being cynical?