The proposed challenge lists are quite comprehensive and in the main appropriate. With regard to the spatial plan the cascade model is a reasonable approach and the outcome places the proposed developments connected to existing urban areas with access to services. It is mindful of maintaining the rural area but needs to say more on transport network design and upgrades and avoidance of overloading rural networks connecting to primary routes.
The current proposed growth opportunities are in my view appropriate and will only have a potential indirect impact on Hockley Heath arising from the attendant local traffic growth adding to the impact of the Blythe Valle development. If the proposed additional local mass transit services in the region are of a significant scale and penetration across the borough then the local traffic growth may well be mitigated.
Agreed with specific additional comments on paragraph 66 as follows:
Reducing inequalities in the Borough (Agreed - ensure that the transport network is properly designed and upgraded to cope with anticipated volumes arising from growth and that high volume rat runs on rural networks is avoided)
Meeting housing needs across the Borough, including the Borough's own needs and, where possible, assisting with accommodating the HMA wide shortfall. (Agreed but Birmingham needs to do more)
Challenge A
Other Areas of the Borough - sentence "Problems of access to housing and local services, particularly in some rural areas" should read "Problems of access to housing and local bus and health services, particularly in some rural areas"
Additional consideration "Increasing investment in rural areas to upgrade and maintain village infrastructure".
Challenge B
"Accommodating some of the HMA wide housing shortfall without adversely affecting the quality of its environment and its attractiveness for businesses and residents (Agreed but Birmingham should be doing a lot more)"
"A need for a range of affordable housing for older people and for people with learning, physical and sensory disabilities and mental health needs. (Agreed subject to detailed assessment)"
Challenge C
"Ensuring there is sufficient amenity space and opportunities for secure children's play in Rural villages as well"
"Ensuring that residential and other amenities are protected in particular Superfast Broadband"
Challenge D
Additional suggested "Identify the new growth industries that Solihull wishes to attract to the Borough e.g. Digital technology, Bio-Technology, Data Hubs Amazon, Google, Apple et al), Energy Hubs (Tesla), Life Sciences (Urgent)"
amend "Meeting aspirations of key businesses to enable them to maintain competitiveness (Birmingham Airport, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Business Park, Blythe Valley Park, Jaguar Land Rover) whilst contributing to sustainable development and providing a well-designed SMART road transportation network that can provide safe and secure access sensitive to the rural communities road infrastructure"
"Managing by design the impact of congestion on motorways, the strategic highway network and rail from additional growth/housing"
"Managing by design the impact of pressure for development on the quality of the environment"
"Need for high speed digital connectivity to enhance competitiveness" is critical!
Challenge E
"Maintain the Green Belt and improve the network of green infrastructure in Solihull, to prevent unrestricted expansion of the major urban area, to safeguard the key gaps between settlements such as the Meriden Gap and the countryside. Ensure that the countryside is managed so as to deliver a range of benefits including the growing of food and energy products, create an attractive rural setting and improved public access and recreational opportunities." This is absolutely critical to maintain the Borough's differentiation from any other urban sprawl
Challenge F
"Impact on biodiversity conservation and landscape character establish growth of natural meadows to encourage natural flora and fauna"
Challenge G
Robust enforcement of the use of traveller site with zero tolerance of unauthorised pitches
Challenge N
To minimise the impacts of HS2 and the associated growth during both the construction and operational phases and to monitor and ensure that any unacceptable impacts are satisfactorily mitigated