I am writing to object to Allocation 4 Land West of Dickens Heath set out in Solihull's Draft Local Plan and provide detail of my objection below:
Maintaining greenbelt, such as that between Dickens Heath and neighbouring Majors Green, which allocation 4 encroaches upon, is vital to preventing 'urban sprawl', and stopping towns 'joining up'. In this instance, the urban sprawl of Solihull, and Dickens Heath towards Majors Green and Wythall in Worcestershire.
The development of allocation 4 and/or 2, would both worsen already congested roads and accident 'hot spots' on the west and north of Dickens Heath on junctions of Haslucks Green Road and Tilehouse lane, and Haslucks Green Road and Bills Lane.
Transport and infrastructure serving the area of Dickens Heath and Majors Green, which is already woefully under-serviced, would need to be vastly improved at significant financial cost, to service the proposed development (at allocation 4) and curb the likely environmental impact of increased road usage associated with development in this area. Developments close to HS2, and allocation 11 at TRW would allow for developments of a similar size but are already excellently served by existing transport infrastructure, and where it would be comparatively cost effective to increase capacity. Alternative Brownfield sites should be re-developed, or their use maximised prior to beginning to consider the needless destruction of precious greenbelt on the site of allocation 4. There is plenty of other, more suitable land locally that could be built on, and a similar housing capacity could be achieved significantly more cost effectively. In 2014, a Campaign to Protect Rural England report found that there is enough suitable brownfield land, available now, for at least one million new homes. A number of which are identified in Solihull's Draft Local Plan, including allocation 11 at TRW and Blythe Valley. The Government Planning Policy states that changes to "Green Belt boundaries should only be considered in exceptional circumstances" and development in this area fails to meet the exceptions stated including (i) building for agriculture (ii) extension of existing building (iii) infilling in villages. This particular area of Green belt provides for well established and long standing opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation, which could
be destroyed under the current Draft Plan, or moved at unnecessary great financial cost.




The proposed development in allocation 4, exceeds the capacity of existing public amenities and infrastructure, including schools, a medical centre and shops built specifically for the existing Dickens Heath Development. Additionally, Dickens Heath already provides for some further additional housing within its existing boundaries, which are still in development. Solihull's Draft Local Plan itself recognises Dickens Heath as an "attractive" "multi-award winning village", whose development was guided by an "architect-led master plan". In addition a stated objective of Green Belt allocation is "preserving the character" of areas. Comparatively higher-density development, which is out of character with the existing development, as set out in allocation 4 of the Solihull Draft Local Plan serves to be detrimental to the character of both Dickens Heath and Majors Green. Indeed they will 'merge' together should the plans for allocation 4 go ahead. It is my hope that you will take into consideration the strong views of the majority of residents of Majors Green in the consultation.