I wish to make the following comments in respect of the Local Plan review:

1. The proposed allocation of sites is disproportionate with over 40% of the allocations being located in the B90 Shirley postcode in the Shirley South and Blythe wards. If this is adopted in the final plan, the impact on infrastructure in the Shirley area will be profound. This has not been properly thought through. I am particularly opposed to site 13 which massively expands the urban area of Shirley into the Green Belt.

2. There are few sites in the Meriden Gap with a preference for cramming sites into the Blythe ward which will result in the urban part of the borough creeping into the Green Belt. It is notable that there are no sites put forward in the Dorridge and Hockley Heath ward. Not including sites in the Dorridge and Hockley Heath ward would be a missed opportunity in an established community , and is at odds with what has been proposed for Knowle.

3. Design standards must be required to meet the highest possible energy efficiency levels both to reduce carbon emissions and reduce costs for consumers. Issues including flooding need to be carefully considered when considering sites and appropriate engineering solutions provided in areas liable to flooding. Protecting and enhancing biodiversity should be a key thread throughout the plan.

4. Provision of new facilities, including medical practices, schools and transport infrastructure required to facilitate development on the scale proposed needs to be planned for well in advance of sites being built out. New communities need to be built sustainably, and take into account local needs such as affordable housing for first time buyers.

5. Shirley is designated as an "Urban Growth Area". It is not clear what this means and Solihull Council should not go down the route of high density development along the Stratford Road corridor. Instead, the focus, through the Shirley Economic Plan, needs to be on improving Shirley to make it more of a destination for visitors and local people.

6. Any sports pitches removed as a result of site allocations need to be replaced in other locations.

In summary, although I fully recognise the need for new housing development in the borough, and the need to secure a 5 year land supply to avoid unplanned development, we must allocate sites in a manner that safeguards Solihull's unique 'Urbs in Rure' appeal, protects health and wellbeing of our population and preserves our environment for generations to come.