I am writing to object to the inclusion of the Old Rugby / Arden Club Tennis Club Site 245 in the Local Development Plan. I have also objected to the development of this site in 2009 and in 2017 regarding proposed housing allocation18 in your previous plan.

I set out below the reasons for my objections.

1)Traffic Congestion and Air Pollution - Sharmans Cross Road is one of the main arterial roads leading into the centre of Solihull, which is already severely congested during the morning rush hour, specifically 7:50 - 9:00, reaching its peak at 8:00 - 8:30, with the queue already back beyond Sharmans Cross School and towards the Sharmans Cross Pub roundabout. It is NOT the Sharmans Cross Road and Streetsbrook Road junction which is the problem but the the traffic lights by the Fire Station and the right turn into the station, which restrictions traffic flow. Adding an extra 50 vehicles onto Sharmans Cross Road is just going to make this intolerable problem worse, with the queue blocking up to the Sharmans Cross Pub roundabout and causing the problem to effect Solihull Road and Prospect Lane. The queue, coupled the cars parking to drop children off at Sharmans Cross School, also effects traffic, and potentially emergency vehicles, travelling in the opposite direction. Although this queue is of great inconvienence it also creates a lot of air pollution, as most of these vehicles are still running cold before emissions migration systems and 'Stop / Start' engines have started working, increasing the amount of Nitrous Oxides, Carbon Particulates and Carbon Monoxide. Sharmans Cross Road is also a main route for pedestrians walking to the station and the centre of Solihull, plus children walking to Sharmans Cross Road School who will be adversely effected by this toxic pollution. These people are actually doing the right thing, leaving their cars at home and walking, but are having their health potentially severely affected by this air pollution. As Solihull Council is responsible for the health of their citizens it should be their policy to reduce air pollution and not add to it. Electrics vehicle would be the solution but with very few electric cars currently on the market and cars with over a 10 year life span, it will be at least 10 years before this makes any marginal effect and over 30 years before the air pollution is mitigated. That is a whole generation of pedestrians and children. Do not add to this already health threatening situation.

2)Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety - The footpath down the south side of Sharmans Cross Road is a designated pedestrian and cyclist route, into and out of Solihull, and is the major route for commuters to the railway station and Solihull plus children to Sharmans Cross School. At present there are no major exits on the south side of Sharmans Cross Road, crossing this footpath. The only multiple use entrance and exit is for the Arden Tennis Club which has very few vehicles arriving or leaving at the busiest time of the day, especially when school children are going to and from school. The addition of a side road, with potentially 50 vehicles exiting on to Sharmans Cross Road, will directly cross this much used footpath and it will only be a matter of time before somebody will be severely injured or even killed at such a junction. Therefore I would severely consider adding to the dangers on this much used footpath and cycle way.

3)Lack of Local Amenities - All the local infant and junior schools are over subscribed, with no prospect of increasing the number of classrooms. Adding extra school aged children, which affordable housing should be geared towards, will make the situation worse, with children having to travel further to schools increasing the already congested traffic. Also GP surgeries are over subscribed with appointments becoming increasing difficult to obtain, reducing the level of healthcare.

In summary I object to the inclusion of site 245 in the LDP and would argue strongly that it should remain as playing fields as the Solihull Council originally stated. Playing fields for, particularly teenage teams, are now at a premium and there are many local football clubs who would want their use and willing to maintain them.