A stated aim of the Draft Local Plan is to"identify land where development would be inappropriate because of its impact on, for instance, environmental or historic assets" (para6). We would strongly argue strongly that that it fails in this aim with regard to the proposed development on the eastern edge of Balsall Common.
Balsall Common
If the Local Plan is to deliver "sustainable development that reflects the vision and aspirations of local communities"(para 1) then it has a duty to act on their views. We are very concerned that the Draft Local Plan does not mention the Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan despite it having reached the Submission Plan stage after extensive consultation with residents. SMBC must take into account and act upon the content of that Plan and the outcome of the consultation; specifically, it must respond to the strong opposition expressed to the 'overwhelming scale of change' proposed. The selection of Balsall Common to meet much of SMBC's housing needs is not supported and it is not a sustainable location for large amounts of new market and affordable housing, which should be focussed in the main urban cores and areas.
With regard to the village infrastructure requirements (Q3, paras87-94) the Plan correctly identifies the existing significant pressure on the village centre, station parking, traffic and community facilities. However, this must not be used to justify the proposed scale of development with its consequent loss of Green Belt Land and the increase in population and traffic which would turn the village into a town. Such large scale development (900 houses on the Barratt's Farm site alone) creating a potential 50% increase in population with the associated increase in traffic and infrastructure requirements must not be permitted without undertaking a full formal analysis of the additional impact it will have on the village centre and facilities.
If development is to be permitted then the infrastructure improvements to the village centre and the construction of the bypass must be completed before development of the Barratt's Farm site is commenced.
Concerns about the Preservation of the Green Belt
Para 97 - Once this historic landscape is removed from the Green Belt it can never be reclaimed. The importance of protecting the Meriden Gap cannot be too highly emphasized. To extend the Green Belt boundary at its narrowest point to the east of the village (only 2 km) and build on Barratt's Farm will defeat its primary intention of restraining urban sprawl between Coventry, Birmingham and Solihull.
We would urge you to adhere to the findings of The SMBC Solihull Borough Landscape Character Assessment (Dec 2016) which states
LCA5 Balsall Common - Eastern Fringe "is an attractive largely rural landscape with urban influences, being in close proximity to Balsall Common. It is characterised by its historic field pattern and pastoral fields. * Overall, the area would be able to accommodate only small areas of new development, which would need to be of an appropriate type, scale and form, in keeping with the existing character and features of the landscape. Any new development should not result in the loss of the historical field patterns or facilitate the further expansion of Balsall Common into the countryside."
Para 96 discusses land taken up for development as providing"an opportunity for not only additional accessible open space, but also for wider Green Infrastructure improvements (e.g. parkland/woodland). This is especially important in the context of the Barratt's Farm development and provides an opportunity to link up with the Greenway (which is now to be extended further to link to the station). Before, and in addition to, any additional accessible open space provided it is essential that any permitted development on the wider Barratt's Farm site preserves the existing playing field/recreational space off Meeting House Lane as well as the significant footpath network. Both of which are of major importance to the community and routinely used by walkers, dog walkers and runners.
Concept Master Plan Barratt's Farm
We believe that the Concept Master Plan for Barratt's Farm is inadequate and insufficiently developed. In its final version it must be strong enough to ensure that from Day 1 it protects the whole site.
The final version of the Concept Master Plan must:
1. ensure the rural aspect of the land is maintained and preserved by retaining established trees and hedgerows and that green space is clearly shown between existing and new development
2. include a strengthened version of Para 103 to prevent piecemeal development taking place before the completion of HS2 and its full impact is clear.
3. cover the wider site and include all small sites adjacent to Barratt's Farm itself, especially those adjoining existing properties, to prevent piecemeal planning permission to be granted ahead of building on the main area.
4. specifically exclude development of Site 169 Blessed Robert Griswold Site, the Recreation Ground off Meeting House Lane which is a long established and valuable recreational space. In the First Draft Plan consultation of the NDP 92% of respondents (846 in total) supported the designation of the area as a Local Green Space. A detailed description of the site's history and public use was been prepared as part of the NDP evidence base and is provided on the NDP website.
5. specifically exclude the development of Site 30 Land rear of 67-95 Meeting House Lane because of its ecological (see below), landscape and historical importance.
a. We note that p 12 of the Masterplan details concerns that "included the impact of the built form on the heritage assets such as the listed buildings and hedgerow network. The Council's Ecologist also highlighted that Great Crested Newts were known to be on the site and that findings from survey work were likely to have an impact on the layout of the site."
b. This is echoed in the Berkswell NDP p24 Figure 7 - Habitat Distinctiveness (shows land off MH Lane medium-high) , p.29 Figure 10 protected Species Map Presence of Great Crested Newt, p.30-31 including Figure 11 Barratt's farm Constraints Map.
6. specifically exclude Meeting House Lane as an access point to any new developments (e.g. Site 30 & Site 102) and most importantly as access for a first phase of building prior to the completion of HS2. Meeting House Lane is an important cycle and pedestrian route, narrow and without pavements with traffic calming measures already in place, all characteristics which make it unsuitable for any additional traffic both during and after completion of any building development. Any such access would permanently change the character and feel of this traditional lane.