Object

Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Representation ID: 7409

Received: 08/03/2019

Respondent: Merrill Flood

Representation Summary:

Development will have serious effect on pedestrian/vehicular safety of area, especially children walking/cycling to school. Increased traffic will cause increased pollution. There have been many, many instances of flooding in Sharmans Cross Road. The high density of proposed development is totally out of character with the surrounding area. The many mature trees (with Preservation Orders on them) which enclose the site will almost certainly be damaged, and habitats in Pow's Grove destroyed. Council's policy that the freehold of the site in question would not be sold and neither would they lift the covenant regarding the site.

Full text:

I wish to raise the following objections to the proposed development of the former rugby club ground in Sharmans Cross Road.

1. The proposed development will have a serious effect on both pedestrian and vehicular safety of the area. At peak times an additional 100 - 200 cars exiting on to Sharmans Cross Road will inevitably endanger the large number of children making their way to Sharmans Cross Junior School. These young people are often unaccompanied and frequently use bicycles to travel to school. A great deal has been said in the last few years about the need for children to have more exercise. The increased volume of traffic may well deter parents from allowing their offspring to walk or cycle to school.

2. High pollution levels in the area will be increased by additional vehicles using Sharmans Cross Road and surrounding roads.

3. There have been many, many instances of flooding in Sharmans Cross Road. Any additional development in the area will only exacerbate the problem.

4. Historically Solihull Council affirmed as policy that the freehold of the site in question would not be sold and neither would they lift the covenant regarding the site only being used for sporting purposes and ancillary sporting use. By including this area in the Development Plan, this policy is not being adhered to.

5. The high density of the proposed development is totally out of character with the surrounding area. Figures of between 4 and 5 times the existing density have been mentioned.

6. Pow's Grove, a woodland area, not only separates Welcome Grove from the Rugby Club site, but also acts as a border between the Silhill Football Club and the proposed development. The bank (between the two sports grounds) and the Pow's Grove woodland is a haven for wildlife. I fear the habitats will be destroyed should a development take place.

7. The many mature trees (with Preservation Orders on them) which enclose the site will almost certainly be damaged or destroyed should the planning application be successful.