Object

Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Representation ID: 7459

Received: 09/03/2019

Respondent: Roger Flood

Representation Summary:

Solihull is already poorly off for sports venues and, at a time when children and adults are encouraged to do more activity, the thought should be on expansion rather than on reduction of such facilities.
Extra traffic in already congested area will increase risk to pedestrians, especially school children.
Density far exceeds that in surrounding area and is out of character.
Schools and medical services at capacity and unable to cope with additional influx.
Destruction of mature trees, some TPOs and natural habitats.

Full text:

I strongly object to the proposed development of the rugby pitches for the reason listed below.

As an Olympian I am horrified to find a proposal for more sporting facilities to be eroded. I believe Solihull is already poorly off for sports venues and, at a time when children and adults are encouraged to do more activity, the thought should be on expansion rather than on reduction of such facilities.

I understand that SMBC, some time ago, said that the site would only be used for sporting purposes.

If the development went ahead then there would be a considerable number of extra cars in the immediate, crowded area. Many unaccompanied children walk or go on scooters to school and the extra traffic would make them more vulnerable. To make sure the children are safe, their parents might then decide to take then to school by car causing even more traffic problems in an already congested area.

The number of dwellings suggested far exceeds the existing density of the surrounding area and therefore out of character. The general area is not like Dickens Heath with its crammed in and high buildings.

The local Schools and Medical Posts are already bursting at the seam and would be unable to cope with extra personnel.

If the development went ahead, I am sure the natural habitat around the houses would be destroyed. There are many mature trees in the area, some of which already have a preservation order placed on them and it is a home for many urban animals and plants.