LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: SITE 245
(Sharmans Cross Road)

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED DESTRUCTION OF THE RUGBY FIELDS IN SHARMANS CROSS ROAD

Health Challenges

Perhaps the biggest health challenge we face is obesity, particularly amongst the young. It is resulting in the growth in health problems such as diabetes and heart disease that is costing the NHS millions.
Diabetes treatment alone currently costs the NHS ten per cent of its budget.
Exercise is one of the most important ways to help prevent heart disease, and to both prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes.
An ever increasing body of scientific evidence firmly suggests that exercise can help to prevent a wide range of other illnesses including cancer; indeed, the breadth of this evidence is even surprising the scientific community.
In addition, there is an ever growing problem of mental illness affecting young people as a result of addiction to social media. Sport, in particular team sports, with its social interaction, is one of the most effective strategies for treating mental illness.
At public meetings the whole community has been very upset to hear that clubs asking to use the rugby field at Sharmans Cross Road have had their requests refused by Oakmoor Ltd - even though there is a legal agreement that they must not allow the land to be used for any purpose other than as a sports ground.
This is one of five sports grounds at risk in the LDP. As there is a shortage of pitches in Solihull, SMBC has a statutory requirement to ensure lost pitches are replaced with facilities of equivalent quality and, importantly, accessibility. Sport England has found that Solihull is in the 3rd quartile nationally for over-16 participation in sport three times per week and continues to fall in the national league tables.

Density
The development will destroy the character of the neighbourhood. 100 houses are effectively 4-5 times the density of property that surrounds it. This is unacceptable overdevelopment of the site and will be both out-of-scale and out- of-character in its appearance compared to existing development in the vicinity.

Increased Traffic and Pollution
The development will seriously affect road and pedestrian safety. There will be increased traffic moving in and out of any new site, most likely turning right out of the site towards the town centre thus increasing gridlock on Sharmans Cross Road, Streetsbrook Road and adjacent side roads. Sharmans Cross Road is currently jammed from 7.45am to 9.00am. This increase will significantly add to the danger of pedestrians and unaccompanied children going to and from Sharmans Cross Junior School and local secondary schools. It will significantly add to the danger faced by cyclists, as this is a designated cycle route.

Parking
In addition to cramped parking for the new development, Arden Club could lose approximately 75 parking spaces. This will affect safety and congestion through increased street parking. Parking is already a serious problem during peak times and at school drop-off and pick up times. Street parking on Sharmans Cross Road already means that at times the road is effectively a single lane with cars having to pull in to let oncoming traffic pass.

Flooding
Sharmans Cross Road is already subject to flooding during heavy rain. The development will worsen this problem. The drains do not currently cope - something that is well known to the council and water authorities. The rugby ground also plays an important role in absorbing rain water. The amount of flooding in the road would be significantly increased if the rugby ground was built on.

Design and Appearance
This area of Solihull is highly valued for its environmental benefits and contains many mature trees with Tree Preservation Orders. Development of houses will destroy this space which is enjoyed by many residents. It is also a known habitat for bats and badgers.

Schools and Medical Centres
These amenities are already oversubscribed, and this development will inevitably increase demand leading to a degradation of services for all.

Sustainability
The National Planning Policy Framework requires developments to have access to local amenities within 800m/10 minutes' walk. The site is 1700m from Solihull town centre and 1000m from the station, so these criteria are not met.

In conclusion, the number of playing fields in Solihull is totally inadequate and as Solihull continues to grow, their importance cannot be over-stated.
I, therefore, demand that the ALL PARTY policy decision of 2013, confirming the sports ground only covenant , and not selling the freehold, be upheld.