LDP - Proposed Housing Allocation 18

I wish to object to the proposed Local Development Plan of a development of 100 houses on the rugby ground on Sharmans Cross Road. My reasons are as follow:

i. Suitability - The proposed development is unsuitable and will destroy the character of the neighbourhood. It is out-of-scale, out-of-character and inappropriate. It is likely that buildings will be more than 2 stories resulting in loss of privacy, loss of light and overshadowing.
ii. Increased pollution and traffic - Sharmans Cross Road already struggles with traffic problems at peak times, but a development of this scale will escalate the situation and increase the danger to pedestrians and cyclists
iii. Parking -is already chaotic during peak times, school drop-off and pick up times and when the football club has major fixtures. Also local business and railway station users use the present rugby club ground for parking. The loos of this area together with the proposed new development will cause very major problems for the area
iv. Flooding - Sharmans Cross Road is already has flooding problems whenever there is heavy rainfall. The proposed development will inevitably compound this problem.
v. Permanent loss of sporting facilities - Sport England has found that Solihull is in the 3rd quartile nationally for over-16 participation in sport three times per week and continues to fall in the national league tables. The neighbouring football club has a shortage of pitches and wish to use the rugby pitches. There is also a sporting covenant on the rugby pitches. Solihull needs to use this land for sporting purposes.

The proposed development is not in the interest of Solihull or the residents and I urge the council to reject this proposal.