Object

Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Representation ID: 7493

Received: 10/03/2019

Respondent: Dr P J M Sloan

Representation Summary:

- The development would worsen traffic and parking problems in the area.
- There would be inadequate medical and school facilities for the proposed increased population.
- The development would put extra strain on already stretched drainage and flood prevention capacity.

Full text:

Local Development Plan : Site 245 or 18

Old Rugby Club, Sharmans Cross Road

Comments and Objections

Sport is a vital part of a full life. Sports require physical exercise, which results in better blood circulation and overall improved physical stamina. It makes the body more flexible, agile and responsive. Further, in today's times , it can combat the epidemic of obesity. It also helps people mentally, improving mental agility also some studies have shown it can reduce the incidence of dementia by 50% and can help prevent and treat depression. Sport also helps develop social skills.

One would expect Solihull residents to be near the top of people involved in sport, however in national league tables they in the third lowest quartile for participation in sport. To improve this there needs to be accessible sporting facilities available. The Council recognised this in 1965 when they leased the land to the Rugby club and again in 2013 when an all party committee of SMBC confirmed the policy that the site only to be used for sporting purposes and that they retain the freehold. I feel strongly that the Council should not only remove the site from the Local Development Plan (LDP) for new houses, now and in the future, but put pressure on the lease holder (Oakmoor) to make the land available for sporting use.

In the Council's draft plan of January 2019 regarding this site it states in point 271 "This site is in a largely residential area close to Solihull Town Centre. A previous planning application was refused solely because the proposals did not provide sufficient affordable housing, thus indicating that the principle for the development was considered acceptable". I consider other relevant points in the plan`s refusal were the existing covenant on the land requiring it to be used for sporting purposes solely and other objections raised by the hundreds of local residents who wrote to the council. Further point 272 states "Whilst the former sports ground has been disused for a number of years, compensation for the loss of playing pitches will be required." The site has remained unused for sporting purposes not it seems because of lack of local demand but apparently as a result of a decision made by Oakmoor to try and utilise the land for development rather than encourage local sports use in line with their undertakings.

The land is in the centre of a mature residential area and allows easy access to many people who would use the area for sporting purpose. I suggest that they would not travel miles to some other site.

As regards the proposed development I object on many grounds:

The development would worsen traffic and parking problems in the area. In Woodside Way, just across from the proposed development there can be up to 25 cars parked during the day effectively making a one way road.

The development would have a housing density 4-5 times that of the surrounding area thus destroying the character of the area.

There would be inadequate medical and school facilities for the proposed increased population.

The development would put extra strain on already stretched drainage and flood prevention capacity.

There would be a risk to the viability of Solihull Arden Tennis Club because of difficulties with access and parking.

In summary, the tennis club, football club and old rugby club areas on Sharmans Cross Road should provide for the sporting use in a mature distinctive district of central Solihull. I encourage the Council to make the old rugby club ground available for sporting use in perpetuity.

I strongly object to the development of the site for any housing now and the future.