Dear Sir or Madam,
Thanks for the opportunity to express our views in this consultation.
We would be grateful if you can consider the following key issues that we believe would enhance the plan and present chances to offer benefits and ameliorations to both existing residents and residents who may live in the area in the future. We believe our suggestions may also deliver a sustained and powerful positive impact to the local environment and wildlife therein.
We live at Barn End, 98, Grove Road, Knowle, and own and maintain the recognised 4 acre Local Wildlife Site (LWS) on the corner of Grove Road and Norton Green Lane. We do not consider ourselves as "Nimbys" and recognise the need for local authorities to make provision for growing and changing populations. However; we also believe that Solihull and its district have a distinctive track record in maintaining environmental and amenity standards over the years. With the existing plan for this area we commend our suggestions for consideration in realising a development worthy of this reputation.
* Barn End is a Grade II listed building. We believe it should be afforded the same considerations in planning discussions as Rotten Row Farm.
* The current plan offers a fortunate opportunity to consider a permanent and game changing improvement to the area, by closing the existing Grove Road between Barn End and the junction with Warwick Road, B4041. Over the years this "country lane" has become increasingly dangerous and overused, especially by ridiculously large vehicles which use it as a "rat run" towards Bentley Heath and beyond. We have even lost parts of our hedgerows to oversize vehicles having to mount verges in order to pass. You can witness the ongoing damage at any time. It is surprising that Grove Road does not currently have commensurate traffic restrictions to address both speed and size which are perennial problems - especially given that we are supposed to live in a residential 30MPH thoroughfare. It has become almost a "no go" area at certain times of day.
* We believe the development plan allows the option to re-route traffic through the Arden Triangle and maintain Grove Road as an amenity incorporating footway, cycle route and bridle path. Already, especially at weekends people attempt to use it in this way, but are in a constant conflict with fast and heavy traffic and significant associated pollution. Such a move would also create a viable wildlife corridor between our LWS and Arden Triangle. We can provide additional supportive real and anecdotal evidence in this respect - including flora and fauna.
* Cuttlebrook - This substantial natural waterway runs through the proposed development. We would suggest that it offers the prospect to create a new LWS within the development. Of course we realise that in planning you will consider the best possible condition for Cuttlebrook to support wildlife. For example in maintaining its meandering nature to encourage reproductive cycles. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust should be consulted perhaps to contribute ideas, such as flat bottomed culverting and not pipeline. It is a great chance to actually reinforce the habitat rather than lose it forever. For your interest there are local people who would be delighted to consider helping in post development maintenance of Cuttlebrook.
* We are fortunate to know of the excellent work going on at the "Mind" site nearby. We also know of the presence of exciting and endangered species around their site, such as the great crested newt, grass snake, buzzard, deer and badgers. It would be a real plus if a way could be found to maintain a wildlife corridor between the Mind site and our own LWS. This could be reinforced through keeping new housing back from the corner of Grove Road and Warwick Road, and fronting Rotten Row.
* In tandem, such a project would be successful through preservation of the rural nature of Grove Road along the abovementioned "closed" portion, and by maintaining a useful gap between new housing and Grove Road. There is also a good opportunity to reinforce the dilapidated hedge there.
* There is an abandoned garden between 88 and 98 Grove Road. It has overgrown formal Yew and Box Hedges, an old orchard, spinney, a balancing pond and some magnificent mature trees. It provides a special habitat for deer, owls, bats and badgers. Closing and calming Grove Road would allow easier passage for such wildlife toward the North, and reduce the occasional tragic roadkill and tree damage caused by through traffic.
* Perhaps the imaginative use of a wildlife underpass for the new estate road. And / or bridging the new road over Cuttlebrook could be considered?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts at some stage and thanks again for your consideration.
Chris Wiseman and Elizabeth Brace, Barn End, Knowle, B93 0PL