I wish to object to the development of site 3 (Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common)

My husband and I attended the consultation at Balsall Common library and were disappointed that despite a large number of valid objections and useful points being made, I didn't notice any members of the council actually making a note of anything the residents had said. I wonder what the point was of having such a consultation if it was not to gain information to be shared with other members of the planning committee? The man from the council that we spoke to said that he didn't even live locally and was only ever in Balsall Common about once a month, so how could he possibly know what it is like to live here when he doesn't know the areas as well as the residents do and clearly has no idea how bad the traffic and congestion already is and how stretched to the limit all of the current local services are.

It also concerns us that the potential site options may not have been researched thoroughly - an example of this is the fact that our garden, along with 2 of our neighbours gardens, were included in the proposed plan, along with a shared paddock too. We can only hope that this has been done in error, but of course you can understand our worry that someone has just looked at a map and highlighted anything that looks like a field.

I hope that before any more development occurs in Balsall Common, members of the council will drive through the village either at the end of a school day or during rush hour and see how congested this stretch of road already is (and will be further increased once the new homes on the Kenilworth Road have reached completion) and how an increase in the number of vehicles and cars racing down side roads to find alternative routes, will pose a greater risk of an accident, particularly to the children from the primary and secondary schools, not to mention the nursery, that is also along the same road.

As a Mum and a teacher, I have huge concerns about the pressure on the local primary school, which is already over-subscribed (as are all of our other potential school options). I was told by a member of the council that new schools will be built but I wonder which action will come first - surely the infrastructure must be developed first in order to accommodate the many children that would move into any new homes?

I would propose that serious consideration be given to the development of site 240 (Wootton Green Lane, Balsall Common), as an alternative.

The reasons for my objection are below, based on the outcome of the investigations undertaken by the BARRAGE action group and as such the evidence and supporting information can be found in their report.

1) Balsall Common fails to meet the Council's own specified criteria for high frequency public transport and therefore is not a settlement with good accessibility. As such, the allocation of circa 20% of new housing in the Borough to Balsall Common, is in breach of SMBC's policy that "all new development should be focused in the most accessible locations".


2) Moreover it is a settlement with limited employment opportunities and therefore most people have to commute to work by car. A significant expansion will add unnecessary pressure to the road network as well adding to the carbon footprint. There are no proposed Sprint Runs to mitigate for this.


3) The proposed allocation of 3 greenfield sites in Balsall Common, when there are 14 PDL (Previously Developed Land) sites available, would strongly suggest that due consideration has not been given to these sites. As such, the "very special circumstances" to justify inappropriate development in the greenbelt have NOT been demonstrated.


4) The development of site 3, being in the south of Balsall Common, will add to the congestion hotspots on the A452 caused by northbound traffic heading to the main employment centres.

5) The development of site 3 (200 units), in addition to the two sites currently under construction on the Kenilworth Road (115 units), will inevitably cause delays to drivers trying to access the A452. As a consequence, the risk of accidents will increase as drivers attempt to exit these sites in a situation even more difficult than it is today. Windmill Lane will become even more of a "rat run".

6) Site 3 scores poorly in relation to all accessibility criteria, as defined by SMBC, apart from the Primary School. As such most journeys to the shops, medical centre and railway station will have to be by car, adding to the existing congestion and parking difficulties


7) To alter the boundaries surrounding the Crest Nicholson developments on the Kenilworth Road (sites 22 and 23), in order to develop site 3, would directly contravene National policy, as these boundaries were regarded as permanent.


8) The existence of the Berkswell Windmill (Grade II* listed building), as well as Great Crested Newts, a European protected species, has been overlooked in the Council's assessment. As the setting of this iconic landmark will be harmed, the proposal is in breach of National policy.


9) Using the same criteria as the Council to assess sites, part- PDL site 240 outperforms site 3. Given that the area is larger than site 3, this site should be re-assessed by the Council with a view to allocation instead of site 3.


10) The phasing of all 3 proposed allocations for development to take place in years 1 - 5, at the same time asHS2 and the site at Riddings Hill, will place intolerable strain on the settlement. There will be insufficient time to effectively plan for and deliver the necessary improvements to both infrastructure and facilities, which are already overstretched. In particular, the current Primary School provision is wholly inadequate. This directly contravenes SMBC's stated intent to "manage the growth."

In light of the above, I would support the recommendations from BARRAGE that:


1) A re-assessment is made of the appropriateness of significantly expanding Balsall Common, given its poor accessibility using public transport

2) If there is justification for significantly expanding Balsall Common, then an holistic view is taken as to where housing is best located, with due consideration to be given to the re-use of PDL sites in preference to "greenfield" as well as congestion hot spots

3) The phasing of any development must recognise the impact and disruption of HS2

4) The necessary infrastructure to support any significant expansion must be identified and planned for alongside any development


5) SMBC consults on ALL PDL SITES, which fall within or are adjacent to Balsall Common, with a view to potential allocation with immediate effect to ensure the community is fully engaged

6) Site 3 is removed from the Draft Local Plan as it is not compliant with both National and Borough planning policies and, as such, is not sustainable.