The proposal for the housing development at the A and B sites on the plans for Dickens Heath area appear to be extreme.
Dickens Heath was 'created' in the late 1990s, guided by an architect-led masterplan and is described in the local plan at that time as 'award-winning' and 'critically acclaimed'. Since then it has undergone very rapid expansion. These most recent proposals would change the village into a suburban sprawl.
The roads in and around Dickens Heath do not appear to have been designed to accommodate the volume of traffic, including heavier traffic, now using it. They are probably difficult to upgrade because of the closeness of the highway boundaries, and are becoming difficult to negotiate because of the amount of traffic There must also be problems with the sewer system as the council has already sent teams to put cameras down to investigate. If the proposed expansion takes place the problems will be exacerbated.
Considering all the above, the infrastructure does not seem suitable for any further housing development. The development iin Dickens Heath has already been tremendous and the future plans for this area seem to be out of proportion with that planned for the rest of Solihull.
I understand that the provision of extra housing in Solihull has been linked to the requirements of Birmingham. However, the impact on Solihull in general and Dickens Heath in particular will be so great that perhaps the executives of the two councils should give more consideration to the planned development taking place in the Birmingham area.