No
Draft Local Plan Review
Representation ID: 3055
Received: 22/03/2017
Respondent: Christina Lawlor
Object to housing Site 13 as will result in loss of countryside and urban sprawl contrary to Council motto, leading to coalescence with Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green, loss of natural green space/green corridor and impact on recreation and well-being, and increased housing and density will have huge detrimental impact on infrastructure, schools and medical services. If some building is essential, should ensure that a green space/wildlife corridor of at least 2 fields width is retained from Tanworth Lane to Bills Lane with any hedges and trees retained
FORMAL OBJECTION TO ALLOCATION 13 - 600 houses on land adjacent to Woodlands and Baxters Estates
I would like to formally object to the provision of 600 houses on the open countryside adjacent to the Woodlands and Baxters residential estates. I have no objection to the building of homes along Dog Kennel Lane however.
The reasons for my objection to (a) the density of such proposal and (b) its proximity to the above estates are as follows:-
1. The development will result in urban sprawl - coalescence. It will mean that heading towards Shirley from B'ham City centre there will be no countryside at all.
2. Your Council's motto is "Urbs in Rure" - there will be no "rure" south of Shirley and as Cheswick Green, Tidbury Green and Dickens Heath grow in size there will be coalescence. Your motto will no longer apply.
3. Your Council's Green Space Strategy Review 2014 applauds "a sustainable network of good quality green spaces that are safe, healthy, rich in biodiversity and distinctive in character celebrating what is special about Solihull" and the executive summary of that document states that "The importance of Green space within Solihull should not be underestimated ...".
4. That document also mentions "Green corridors", "wildlife conservation", "natural and semi natural green spaces", "health and wellbeing", and areas "that allow people to access and connect with the natural environment" (PPG 17).
5. WHAT I WOULD URGE THE COUNCIL TO DO , IF YOU HAVE TO BUILD ON ANY OF THE FIELDS ADJ. WOODLOES ROAD, IS TO ENSURE YOU RETAIN A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR OF AT LEAST 2 FIELDS' WIDTH RUNNING FROM THE REAR OF PROPERTIES IN TANWORTH LANE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BILLS LANE. THIS WOULD AFFORD NOT JUST A NATURAL HABITAT FOR FOXES, FIELD MICE, SHREWS, OWLS AND BATS (all of which live in those fields) BUT WOULD ALSO GIVE VERY REAL BENEFIT AND QUALITY OF LIFE TO THOSE OF US LIVING ON THE BAXTERS AND WOODLANDS ESTATES (and those who drive to the area to exercise their dogs) AND INDEED WOULD SIMILARLY BENEFIT ANYONE LIVING IN ANY NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT BEYOND THAT WILD LIFE CORRIDOR AS WELL AS GIVING SOME CREDIBILITY TO YOUR MOTTO "URBS IN RURE". Any hedges and mature trees should be retained thereby preserving the rural character and wildlife habitats.
6. It appears to be the case that 41% of the new house building within Solihull is scheduled to be within the Shirley area - aside from the coalescence issue and disregard for the Council's motto, increasing the density of Shirley will have a detrimental and huge impact upon infrastructure, schools, doctors' surgeries etc.