I wish to oppose the inclusion of the old Rugby Club Ground in Sharmans Cross Road in The Local Development Plan for new houses.

The Planning Committee must reiterate its 2013 all party policy on maintaining the sports ground covenant on this site.

The proposals for such a high density of houses, which is 4 to 5 times the density of adjacent housing, would be completely out of keeping and character with the surrounding area and take away from Solihull residents the beneficial effects of this green space asset. If this sports ground and open space is taken away it will never be replaced, countering the recognised benefits of retaining sports grounds and parkland within town and urban areas for the health and well-being for the community now and for generations to come.

Additional road traffic from and to the proposed development would overwhelm the current road system in the area, causing road traffic congestion and increase the risk to pedestrians and cyclists ( especially school children from Sharmans Cross Junior School ). It would almost certainly require major road work improvements at the junction of Sharmans Cross Road and Streetsbrook Road.

Other aspects of infrastructure such as school places, medical facilities and storm water and sewerage systems would not cope without hugely expensive ( to Solihull Council ) alterations to the already stretched existing services.

The impact of the proposals on wildlife and protected trees in the area and the adjacent Pow Grove would be extremely damaging.

The criteria for Sustainability are not met in that the National Policy Framework requires that developments have access to local amenities within 800m/10mins walk away. This site is 1000m from the train station and 1700m from Solihull town centre.

Bearing these points in mind, I ask that the 2013 all party committee meeting which affirmed the policy that they would not sell the freehold of this site or lift the covenants regarding the site only being used for sport be upheld and that this plot of land is left, as intended for sports use only.