LDP - Proposed Housing Allocation 18
I am writing to lodge my objections to the proposed development of 100 houses on the rugby ground on Sharmans Cross Road. There are a number of points to my objections, as follows:
1. Population density: According to the property website, 'Zoopla' there are 131 houses in Sharmans Cross Road. If a further 100 houses are constructed on the rugby ground (that it a 76.3% increase), the following unpleasant characteristics of the area will become unacceptable for the existing residents:
1.1 An already bad traffic situation: the junction at Sharmans Cross Road and Streetsbrook Road is already gridlocked between 7.45am and 9.00am, due to the (very slow) traffic flow along Streetsbrook Road into Solihull and the build up of traffic waiting to exit Sharmans Cross Road. I have lived on the corner of this junction for the last 20 years and have seen the volume of traffic increase significantly over this period. Furthermore the traffic situation at the roundabout of the junctions of Prospect Lane, Danford Lane and Sharmans Cross Road is already highly congested between the times mentioned above and will only be exacerbated by the proposed development. Finally the junction of Solihull Road and the A34 is congested for most of the day, particularly during the times mentioned....again the proposed development will only worsen this.
1.2 The local environment: increased traffic congestion will mean a further deterioration in the local environment; an increase in danger for pedestrians and an increase in danger for cyclists on what is a designated cycle route.
1.3 Congestion and safety issues associated with Sharmans Cross Junior School: at peak school 'dropping off' and 'collection' times Sharmans Cross Road is highly congested, and quite frankly a dangerous place for young children, despite the presence of a traffic warden ('lollipop man/lady'). Additional traffic turning out of/into the proposed development will increase the safety risk to young children....and their young parents who in my experience often appear distracted by their conversations with other parents.
1.4 Flooding in periods of heavy rain: Sharmans Cross Road is already subject to flooding during heavy rain. As noted, I live on the corner of Sharmans Cross Road and Streetsbrook Road. A few years ago the drains were moved, when the corner was 'filled out' to try to slow down the cars from Solihull that speed round the corner, but NOT to the lowest point of the road. The consequence of this civil engineering error is that heavy rain produces flooding in the road outside my front drive....which creates a hazard to traffic. I should add that there are other sites in Sharmans Cross Road which also flood during heavy rain. An additional 100 houses and their associated roads/drains will further exacerbate the flooding position. I know for a fact that residents have complained to SMBC about the flooding...but nothing has been done.
2. Local schools and medical centres are already oversubscribed: an additional 100 houses will simply, again, exacerbate the position for local residents.
3. SMBC formally minuted in 2013 its policy with regard to the use of sport grounds and that it would not sell the freehold land. A previous application for the proposed site has been refused and another withdrawn. It is clear, therefore, that the development of the site is unsuitable and should not be included in the LDP.