P15/ Securing Design Quality
The key objectives of contribute or create high quality places & spaces; regard local distinctiveness and achieve high quality, inclusive & sustainable design are appropriate. P15 also suggests that there should be engagement in pre planning decisions, there are concerns in relation to current levels of engagement with developers and SMBC in relation to recent planning decisions and consultation on local developments (i.e. BVP). The policy would need to outline in more detail the terms and levels of pre planning consultation.
P16/ Conservation of Heritage Assets & Local Distinctiveness
Yes, agree with the principles of P16. In a recent consultation with local residents key feedback was that residents felt it important to keep the "village feel" of HH and remain its rural character.
P17/ Countryside & Green Belt
Agree with policy that inappropriate development will not be permitted in the Solihull green belt. Concerns raised by HHPC/Residents Association and residents at local consultation that plan states that small settlements of ........, HH, which are inset in the green belt are not subject to green belt policy. Following recent planning decisions in and adjacent to HH there are concerns that SMBC will not take into account the importance of the rural setting and note any feedback or objections from HHPC and residents of HH. The importance of maintaining the distinctiveness of HH and its separation with Dorridge should be reinforced in the Local Plan.
Any further development in HH would put significant strain on the already inadequate infrastructure of the village. Poor quality roads, which are regularly affected by traffic congestion on local motorways (M42/M40) would be further affected with additional developments resulting in an increase in traffic.
Feedback from residents urge SMBC to consider brown field sites as a priority for re development before green belt areas.