Proposed Housing Allocation 18

As a resident of Blackthorne Close, Solihull, I would not be as affected by this proposed development as those living in its immediate vicinity. However, I strongly object to the proposal for the following reasons:

* Sharmans Cross Road and surrounding routes are already too congested, with traffic gridlocked at certain times of day because of street parking and increased volume connected with Sharmans Cross Junior School. As recently as Friday, 10 February, my husband was stationary in such a traffic jam on Sharmans Cross Road. Given that most households own at least two cars, surrounding roads, and Sharmans Cross Road in particular, could not possibly accommodate 100x2 emerging from the proposed development and the chaos that would ensue. Already, high volumes of traffic make progress into Solihull tortuous in rush hour and even back in 2009, when I worked at Solihull Hospital, it took me half an hour to get there. Now, Streetsbrook Road rarely "frees up" before 9.45 a.m.

* The Council is currently reviewing street parking in the Blackthorne Close/Woodlea Drive/Sharmans Cross area as existing restrictions are ineffective and need updating. On all roads in this area, but particularly on Sharmans Cross Road, parking is a significant and, in some cases, dangerous contributor to the traffic jams and near accidents.

* More traffic makes both vehicle and pedestrian accidents more likely, particularly at the somewhat dangerous junction of Sharmans Cross, Streetsbrook and Stonor Park Roads. Indeed, I was recently the innocent party in a nasty road accident, which wrote off my car, on my way into Solihull.

* Of course, the increase in traffic pollution is also a major consideration, something of which I am acutely aware as I am asthmatic and have had far more respiratory problems living here than I ever had in south-east London!

* What about local medical services and the effect on them? Where is the extra provision going to be made in both existing primary care services and at Solihull Hospital? It already takes a fortnight to see a GP and a further wait for an appointment is unacceptable. I very much doubt that current NHS funding can create any additional facilities and staffing.

* Presumably, the development is most likely to attract young families. Is there sufficient capacity in local schools to cater for extra children? I doubt it as my neighbour's child was refused a place at Streetsbrook Infants because it is already full.

* It is not unusual for Sharmans Cross Road to flood when there is heavy rain. Is it really a fit site for further homes, and what effect will the development have on existing sewerage systems?

* When I first moved to Solihull from London in 1975, I very much appreciated the nature of the area, such a contrast to London suburbia, so much less traffic, easy access to local countryside and a town with an interesting mixture of independent shops. However, continual development has destroyed these advantages such that the town is now much more like a London suburb, has largely lost its character and is certainly no longer an "Urbs in Rure"! The Sharmans Cross area does, however, remain one of the more pleasant and unspoilt residential areas close to the town, with a variety of characterful and individual properties and many much appreciated beautiful trees. A new development, possibly not unlike the appalling bland architecture of developments such as the "village" of Dickens Heath, would be totally out of keeping, especially as I understand some of the new properties are likely to be more than two stories high.