Local Planning Site 245
I feel compelled (alongside many other local residents) to make contact with you reference the land owned by the council previously used by the Rugby Club and now leased by Oakmoor Sharmans Cross Ltd.

I write twofold..one as a long standing resident of Sharmans Cross Road and secondly as a long standing local estate agent.

Firstly, as a resident and a daily user of this lovely open land we have on our doorsteps, It would be a massive disappointment to many if the land would no longer be available for the community to enjoy. It is used on a daily basis throughout the year by dog walkers, children playing ball games and children accessing a short cut to school.

The nearest green site to this land is off Woodside Way and Woodlea Drive- but this land is not available for ball users.

It would be a shame if the local children were not able to use the facilty as it were intended for.

The wildlife would be disturbed, including foxes, badgers, birds of prey..

Surely as the landowners you have a duty of care to make sure the land is retained for its original purpose.

Sharmans Cross Road is already gridlocked at morning and evening rush hours and also at school times..do you not think that by allowing a developer the opportunity to build any number of houses on your land would add to the problem.

I have witnessed so many near misses with cars and buses, bikes and children and wonder why you could humanely allow such a development knowing this would lead to further congestion and potential accidents.

The council are already aware of the traffic issues as recently they have provided a Zebra crossing and double yellow lines to lighten the problem.

As a long standing resident I can honestly say I have witnessed many a time over the years when the road had flooded...I would imagine that you would also be aware of this and that by allowing a development to go ahead that this would only add to the drainage problems.

Now, as a local estate agent, I completely understand that developers have needs and will always be looking for an opportunity to acquire suitable land for development. B91 is like gold dust and Im sure that when Oakmoor stepped in to 'help out' there was always going to be an ulterior motive for leasing your land.
I also understand that many private land owners choose to sell off parts of their gardens or fields when approached by such developers as a way of financial gain, but I would assume that the council would have a duty to uphold the covenants placed on the land for the benefit of the community rather than for financial gain themselves.

I cannot understand how you could even consider selling the Freehold knowing that the developers would be in breach of the covenants. surely as the land owners you have a responsibility to make sure the covenants are adhered to alongside the conditions of the lease....which i believe are already being breached?

with national government statistics outlining a problem with childhood obesity, surely this would and should encourage you to make sure the land is used for recreational use only- as it originally designed for.

let the developers build on sites where they have room to make provision for incorporating new schools and medical facilities... rather than let them gain themselves financial but to the detrement of the local schools and surgeries which are already at maximum capacity,

I am hopeful that you will , as the Freeholders and the Local council act in the best interest for the community on this occasion.....