DRAFT LOCAL PLAN DECEMBER 2016
My understanding is that the SMBC Draft Local Plan dated December 2016 is a "non-statutory document" and hence residents will have the opportunity comment on the Final Local Plan when published, and at the Public Enquiry.
It's accepted that there is a growing need for the Borough Council to agree to the development of more residential properties in the area and this will, regrettably, mean building on Green Belt land. However, the prospect of using 85% green belt land, including an existing amenities area, is difficult to accept.
When you consider the existing construction sites, together with what's proposed by SMBC and Bromsgrove District Council (BDC), we are looking at just under 3800 new properties that border Wythall Parish, hence the already busy arterial route through the Majors Green and Tidbury Green will become even more heavily congested. Add the extension to the Whitlocks End Railway Station car park and the proposed new sports hub along Tilehouse Lane/Tythe Barn Lane and it's obvious that serious consideration must be given to the highways infrastructure.
You may not be aware that we've had 30 traffic accidents on a 300 metre stretch of Haslucks Green Road/Tilehouse Lane in Majors Green during the past 18 months, including one pedestrian badly injured as she walked along the pavement. Worcestershire County Council has made a number of improvements but long term a more practical solution must be found in order to negate the potential for a fatality.
During the next year, I am confident that SMBC will be addressing residents' concerns and undertaking many assessments in and around the proposed development sites including health care provisions, primary and secondary school capacity checks, ecological assessments, recreational considerations, road transport management, etc.
It is pleasing that SMBC intend constructing cycle/walking lanes in and around the construction sites, in particular, those leading to Whitlocks End Railway Station.
Consideration should be given to carrying out road traffic flow measurements and analyses of all roads affected and come up with a solution that will link the proposed development sites with the A435 and A3400 roads, therefore preventing excessive traffic congestion in the Dickens Heath, Tidbury Green and Wythall Parish areas. Looking at the roads in and around Dickens Heath, I urge SMBC to come up with a road system that will be an improvement on what can only be described as "shameful".
In addition to your Draft Local Plan, a further report, dated 16th Dec, has been issued by The Planning Inspectorate (Government) which looks at the pro and cons of housing development in the BDC area up to 2030. It refers to an additional 7000 properties for which they have land for 4700 only. The remainder may be built on Green Belt land. It does mention Wythall amongst other neighbouring areas (in Section 66 (Policy BDP5B) citing "large scale" settlements"
In summary, I trust that you will:
* Consider spreading the development sites more equally around the whole of the Borough rather than concentrate on Shirley and Dickens Heath areas.

* Seriously consider the impact on of constructing on Green Belt land

* Carry out a traffic flow survey in the Dickens Heath, Majors Green and Tidbury Green areas and undertake an analysis of the increase in traffic resulting from the ongoing and new developments

* Make it a condition that the development companies agree to fund the necessary improvements to existing highways, pavement lighting, and construction of new highways as required by your Final Plan

* Consider retaining the Amenities Area behind Badgers Estate

* Encourage Centro to extend the Whitlocks End Railway Station Car Park as soon as possible.

* Consider charging a parking fee at the existing and new Whitlocks End Railway Station to limit commuters from outlying areas using the facility

* Co-ordinate SMBC and BDC development plans

* Ensure Richborough proposed plan for the Sports Hub has adequate parking spaces for those who will use the facilities

* Consider constructing a Park and Ride facility in a strategic location in order to limit the traffic flow through urban areas