I am writing with regards to the new Draft Local Plan Review - specifically in relation to Site 24, Oak Farm, Catherine-De-Barnes.

The plan proposes that this site will be used for 80 'medium to high density homes'. I would like to understand further what this entails. It seems a very large number of dwellings for the size of the plot. I imagine this means they will be packed in tightly together, or more than two storeys high, leaving no space for parking, cramming in as many residents as possible on the smallest amount of land. I do feel as though this would be very difficult for the village to accommodate. The village currently does not have enough amenities or infrastructure for this many extra people, as this development would be equivalent to more than a fifth of the current size of the village and therefore will increase it's total population hugely. (We currently stand at 388 households in the village, up to the end of Hampton Lane and to add another 80 would be vastly challenging for the surrounding amenities) Hampton Lane is an extremely busy through road and is getting busier year on year with the increase in traffic coming through when there are problems on the M42. A new development would certainly increase the number of cars in the area in rush hour. When Hampton Lane is at a standstill, the roundabout has queues in every direction and it is already difficult to turn in and out of smaller roads, this potential development would exacerbate this. I also believe the local primary school in Hampton in Arden is at capacity and Catherine-De-Barnes has no school. There is no other available parking, with Bickenhill Lane opposite Oak Farm already being lined either side with parked cars in the evenings. Whilst I appreciate that the Borough needs new homes, and this site constitutes a current Brownfield site, I would like to raise concerns over the number of dwellings and the density and would seek reassurance that they will not be overcrowded or more than two storeys high.

The other main issue I have concerns over, is the small field in the corner of the proposed plot bordering Hampton Lane and the Grand Union Canal. This small area of greenery is at the gateway to the village. Catherine-De-Barnes is currently classed as a rural village, despite the growing pressure of traffic and other motorway developments. This small area of open space, helps create a village feel, before motorists enter the residential areas, which now join up with Solihull town conurbation. Whist I understand that the plot under discussion is considered a Brownfield site, I feel this section of open green field, should not be considered with the rest of the site. This area of field has not been 'previously developed' and is not under the footprint of land that currently has buildings on. Therefore, I would ask that the council consider building appropriate dwellings only on the land that is currently developed, leaving this small section open for residents to enjoy and to help give the appearance that Catherine-De-Barnes is still a rural village and not densely packed with houses, blending in to the edge of Solihull.