I have given my objections below to the proposed housing allocation 18 in the LDP.

Objection Reason for objection

Loss of sporting facilities Solihull is in the 3rd quartile nationally for over 16 participation in sport.
There is now irrefutable evidence that exercise has massive health benefits.
The NHS and social care are in crisis. Diabetes (strongly linked to lack of exercise) is costing the NHS 14 billion pounds a year.

The eminent surgeon, Lord McColl, said in the Lords this month: "The problem isn't that old people are getting older it is that young people are getting fatter."

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, has expressed serious concern that: "Three quarters of young people are spending less time outdoors than prison inmates."

In short, we are sitting on a health time bomb that cannot be ignored.

At the same time, there is massive demand to use the playing fields at Sharmans Cross and the demand and need for playing fields in the borough is only going to rise.

At a recent public meeting it was incredibly sad to hear sports organisers say that they were desperate to use Sharmans Cross playing fields but they were unable to do so. What kind of borough are we living in?

It is self-evident that it would be irresponsible, beyond belief, to concrete over these precious playing fields.

Use of land In 2013 Solihull Council affirmed its commitment that Sharmans Cross playing fields should be used only for sport and that they would not sell the freehold.

An unsuitable development that will have a detrimental effect on the character of the area. The proposed housing density is totally out of character with the area and is five times the density of that in the surrounding roads.
It can only be described as over-development, being out of scale and out of character with the area.

A large risk to pedestrian and cyclists' safety. Sharmans Cross Road pavement is a designated cycle route. The large volume of traffic that will have to cross the pavement to enter or leave the proposed development will be very dangerous for cyclists.
A large number of children and parents use the road to go to and from Sharmans Cross Junior School and such a large increase in the volume of the traffic will put children at great risk.

Road congestion and gridlock. With the large amount of traffic entering and leaving the new development the new junction on to Sharmans Cross Road will cause gridlock during the morning and evening rush-hours. Half of the traffic will want to turn right and will not be able to move at busy times.
Increase in pollution from stationary cars. At busy times the gridlocked stationary cars will be emitting diesel fumes that pedestrian and cyclists will breath in. This will include children going to school at the time when pollution is at its highest levels.
On street parking would increase The loss in parking spaces at the Arden Club would cause chaos on Sharmans Cross Road as it is already difficult and potentially dangerous at school drop off and pick up times.
The current problem of flooding in Sharmans Cross Road would get worse. The large additional pressure put on the drainage and sewerage system would increase the amount of flooding that already takes place on Sharmans Cross Road during heavy rain.
Local schools and medical centres in this part of Solihull are already over-subscribed. Such a development would add to the current problem of schools and medical centres in this area being unable to cope with demand.
Suitable brown field sites are not being designated for housing. I personally know of one very suitable brown field site in Birmingham, similar in size to the proposed development, that has not been designated for housing on Birmingham's plan.
The development is not sustainable. The site is more than 800 metres from local amenities and does not, therefore, meet the criteria of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The development will destroy mature trees and the natural habitat for bats, badgers and owls. The Borough's motto Urbs in Rure correctly describes why Solihull is so appreciated throughout the county. This part of Solihull is especially valued for its benefits to the environment, including trees with preservation orders, badgers, bats, and a wide variety of birds including owls and sparrow hawks (recent photo below of Sparrow hawk in Sharmans Cross Road).
See Attached Photo