Please find below my comments on Solihull's draft Local Plan.

My Comments all relate to the proposals for the site below:-
Area Ref. Site Name Green Belt Site Area Indicative Capacity
Shirley 12 South of Dog Kennel Lane Yes 42 850

I have been unable to submit these comments via the council's website but I have been assured by phone that I can submit these comments by email.
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Traffic
In the evening rush hour period Dog Kennel Lane is heavily congested with traffic going away from the Stratford Road towards Dickens Heath. At best the speed of travel could be described as a slow shuffle; at worst it is stationary. The building of 850 dwellings to the South of Dog Kennel Lane would create impossible congestion.
In the morning rush hour, it is not possible to turn right onto Dog Kennel Lane (going towards the Stratford Road and away from Dickens Heath) from Light Hall Farm and turning left can be extremely difficult due to the high volume of traffic.
Any increase in housing to the south of Dog Kennel Lane would exacerbate the existing problem.
Dog Kennel Lane cannot accommodate any increase in volume of traffic.
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Heritage site - Light Hall Farm
Light Hall Farm is a heritage site - It consists of a Manor House, its associated Barn conversions and surrounding countryside and farmed land. The site is grade II listed and is therefore "of special interest warranting every effort to preserve" it. "Listing marks and celebrates a building's special architectural and historic interest, and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system, so that it can be protected for future generations" (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/listed-buildings/). As such, the outside of these buildings cannot be altered in any way and the public have the right to a view of them in their original setting. It would not therefore be appropriate to build new dwellings within sight of Light Hall Farm and it would be vital to maintain the surrounding area as farmland in order to maintain the heritage of the site.
I understand that "The Secretary of State may prescribe requirements as to publicity for applications for planning permission in cases where the local planning authority think that the development of land would affect the setting of a listed building" (Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/9/section/67) and assume that this would apply if the council were to consider building housing in this area, as the setting would be affected.
The countryside to the rear of the Light Hall farm site has remained unchanged throughout the history of the Manor House. It is green belt land and forms part of the heritage site itself. It includes beautiful ponds, unspoilt rolling grassland and woodland which all provide habitat for a rich array of plants and wildlife. Anything affecting this would desecrate the heritage site.
It is not appropriate to consider this area, to the south of Dog Kennel Lane, for construction of housing.
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Wildlife
The green belt land to the south of Dog Kennel Lane, around Light Hall Farm, is beautiful English countryside and provides habitat for a rich array of wildlife. These include deer Many of these creatures are protected by law. The government's website states that disturbing the sets of badgers (for example by noise/vibration/tree felling) carries a 6 month prison sentence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/badgers-protection-surveys-and-licences). There are many badgers living on the site of Light Hall Farm and their sets would no doubt be disturbed if any construction work were to commence within the vicinity of the site. I would be interested to know who would serve the prison sentence - the council planning committee or the construction workers?
There is a large bat population living around Light Hall Farm and it is illegal to do anything which affects the woodland and hedgerows where they reside (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bats-protection-surveys-and-licences). I understand that it is necessary to carry out a bat survey, before considering any development (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bats-surveys-and-mitigation-for-development-projects).
Additionally there are newts (possibly great crested) populating the ponds and therefore a newt survey report would be required ahead of considering construction work (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/great-crested-newts-surveys-and-mitigation-for-development-projects).

The land also accommodates toads and a variety of surveys would be required to assess the natterjack toad population. Ecologists are required to assess which surveys are required and complex mitigation plans must be developed ahead of any work which could potentially affect the toads (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/natterjack-toads-protection-surveys-and-licences).

There are many other species sharing this beautiful site and although they may not be protected in law, it would be sacrilege to disturb their habitat. There are now very few areas of natural countryside remaining (due to over development), able to accommodate wildlife, remaining in this area. It would be devastating to lose this naturally rich diverse animal population.

Furthermore this area includes a wide variety of plants. "Survey reports and mitigation plans are required for development projects that could affect protected species, as part of getting planning permission or a mitigation licence. Surveys need to show whether protected species are present in the area or nearby, and how they use the site. Mitigation plans show how you'll avoid, reduce or manage any negative effects to protected species" (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protected-plants-protection-surveys-and-licences).

Taking the above aspects into consideration, it is likely that Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council should declare the land surrounding Light Hall Farm as a protected area of countryside
(https://www.gov.uk/check-your-business-protected-area).

It is not appropriate to consider developing the area to the south of Dog Kennel Lane, around Light Hall Farm, for housing,

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One huge sprawling conurbation

The wider Birmingham area has already spread out as far as Shirley. The land that the heritage site of Light Hall Farm sits on, to the south of Dog Kennel Lane, is the first break in developed land on the outskirts of the city. It is green belt land and provides habitat for a rich variety of plants and wildlife in addition to the pleasure it brings to the people of Solihull.

If this last remaining piece of green belt beautiful unspoilt natural English countryside is built on, Dickens Heath and Cheswick Green will merge with Shirley, which has already merged with Birmingham. We will become part of Birmingham's huge sprawling conurbation. This is not in the interests of the people of Solihull or of the wildlife and plants that populate this delightful setting.

It is not appropriate to consider developing the area to the south of Dog Kennel Lane, around Light Hall Farm, as this would create one huge sprawling conurbation.

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No right to a view?

As I understand it, I personally have no right to the gorgeous view of unspoilt natural English countryside that I currently have the pleasure of enjoying from my home, to the south of Dog Kennel Lane, at Light Hall Farm, despite the fact that I paid a premium for my property, because of the delightful setting.

However I would like to make you aware of my personal circumstances, in the hope that someone sitting on the committee that makes decisions such as these, has a heart.

I have stage 4 breast cancer which has metastasised to my spine, hips and my liver. This is a terminal condition and I very much wish to live out my days in the beautiful setting that I have paid good money for. As things stand, this setting brings me joy every day, despite the unpleasant side effect of necessary treatment. I don't think that I could withstand the stress of moving house.

Please do not take this source of joy from me.