Object

Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Representation ID: 8964

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Councillor Max McLoughlin

Representation Summary:

Strategically important location to facilitate success for HS2. Catherine-de-Barnes is on one of two main growth and transport corridors from Solihull to HS2 and should be recognised as such. Should be making a greater contribution to housing needs, with development to northern boundaries of village.
Further growth in proximity to HS2 will reflect the benefits that will accrue from future infrastructural improvements and help to alleviate disproportionate numbers proposed elsewhere in Borough. Would also help to insulate area from affordability issues arising from increase in house prices.

Full text:

No. It saddens me to say that I find considerable fault with comments on Catherine-de-Barnes.
The village is a picturesque settlement that I spent a lot of time playing in and around as a child. The nature and character of the settlement has changed significantly since that time. Whilst there is much to be preserved about it, there are factors that will cause it to change more significantly in the future.
Firstly, with HS2 being established in the future, this will be one of the main corridors to the site from Solihull, with the other being via Damson Parkway. Successful development should take place along corridors of growth. Catherine-de-Barnes will either play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the UK Central interchange, or it will be involved in ensuring it becomes a "park and ride" station.
Currently, the major factor limiting development towards the airport is the retaining of land for potential future expansion of the runway. I am against this happening but recognise that there will most likely need to be development to the northern boundaries of Catherine-de-Barnes as sites are brought foward. Whilst this might appear to be referencing the spatial strategy of the Plan, which is not open for comment in this consultation, it is necessary to reference it as it is laid out in the Supplementary Update.
There is considerable concern in other parts of the Borough that this area is afforded special status that others are not. The rejection of an extra care development was not as warmly received in areas that have taken disproportionate numbers of such developments. This has to be taken in light of the strategic significance of enabling growth to come from HS2. This part of the borough stands to gain more, with greater access and desirable properties for those able to afford commuting to London using HS2. As such it should also contribute in a proportionate amount to the benefit it will receive from future infrastructural improvements.
As such, Catherine-de-Barnes should be making a greater contribution to the housing needs of the Borough. This is not only for strategic reasons pertaining to HS2, but also in ensuring affordability can be achieved elsewhere in the borough. It is clear this location is going to be less able to make such a considerable contribution towards Affordable Housing. However, where it can provide a role is in an insulating capacity from affordability issues arising from HS2. HS2 is expected to push house prices up in the area. It is better that housing demand from HS2 is located in sustainable reach of the Interchange site. This is one of the few settlements that is in realistic access by active transport for HS2.