Local Development Plan Old Rugby Ground Sharmans Cross Road Site 18 or 245
I write to make my observations on the LDP with reference in particular to the above site. I am a local resident having lived in the area since 1990.

When we first moved to our home the rugby club was thriving. Since that time the club has had to move and the site has been unoccupied and left to decline since that time.

It is my understanding that the site was purchased by SMBC in 1962 to prevent the land being used for housing development and that it was leased back in 1965 on a 125 year lease to the Rugby Club. The freehold land was deemed to be used only for purposes ancillary to a sports ground and the leaseholder entered into a covenant that they will not "use or permit or suffer to be converted or occupied the premises for any other purpose other than a private sports ground..."

The Rugby Club then to raise funds decided to sell the site to Oakmoor, at a sports ground valuation so I understand, at some point between 2007 and 2009. In this process undertakings were given by Oakmoor through their solicitor that they would honour all the undertakings and obligations which would presumably include the usage for sporting purposes only. The rugby club went into administration and the new club which emerged had to leave the site. There would seem to be evidence that Oakmoor wished to charge that club rent at a level which they simply could not afford and they had therefore to leave the site.

Since that time this land has not been used for any sporting activity. We have been told anecdotally that possible interested parties have been either ignored or discouraged from using the site.
The pre school group was shut down and all the buildings have now been demolished. There is no evidence at all of any effort by Oakmoor to utilise this site for sporting purposes. To the contrary they have tried to obtain permission to develop the site for housing.

There is a dearth of available and affordable sporting grounds in Solihull and if this site is given up for housing then it is gone for good. Despite being a wealthy area Solihull is low, in the 3rd downwards quartile, in the national league tables for participation in sport.
There is a responsibility on SMBC to do what they said they would and retain this land for sporting use and ensure that Oakmoor follow the terms of the restrictions placed on the land.

The Supplementary document to the draft LDP at point 271 does not at any point mention the sporting covenants and this is totally misleading.
The all party policy declared by SMBC in 2013 that the sports use covenants should be retained.

This area of Solihull is a leafy mature suburb and the density of housing which is proposed would be 4/5 times at least of the surrounding area. This development if permitted would destroy the character and diminish the distinctiveness of the area.
Parking has become an increasing problem in the area. Upwards of 25 cars can be parked at the Sharmans Cross end of Woodside Way on a daily basis particularly at the beginning of the week during term time. This has rendered the road a one way only street at that end. Vehicles frequently have to reverse back to let oncoming vehicles through sometimes onto Sharmans Cross Road. At present many commuters also park on the vacant land at the rugby ground. There will be increased parking problems caused if this land is developed. Also if the tennis club loses some of its parking facilities this will again put further parking pressure on local roads.
Many letters have been sent by ourselves and other residents about this issue over the years but absolutely nothing has been done.

The junction with Sharmans Cross Road and Streetsbrook Road is dangerous and busy. Again this development would put strain on that junction with probably an extra 200 cars plus coming onto Sharmans Cross Road. Even if there was access through a road leading onto Dorchester Road that would still put strain on Streetsbrook road at the junction of the four roads.

There are tree preservation orders on the area and this has helped to retain the character.

There has also been flooding/drainage problems in the area and development of this high density would put a strain on that and increase the problems.

There would be inadequate medical and school capacity. It is difficult enough to get an appointment with local gp practices.