I am disappointed to see that the Arden tennis club site (Local Development Plan Site 245) is again being considered for development.

The existing covenants on this land maintain that the land should be used for sporting activities. Going against this will seriously damage the trust we have in Solihull MBC and the planning process. Taking away opportunities to participate in sport, or simply spend time outdoors will have detrimental long-term health and well-being impacts for our young people. We should be developing this site together as a community and using it to support people's health and well-being, not taking it away. We can continue to use it as a sports ground while also using it as a space to access nature and have other amenities for young people to play, such as a playground.

I recognise that the plan does not intend to directly impact on Pow Grove LWS/Ancient Woodland. However, I am concerned that the development will negatively impact the network of corridors that are so important for creating pathways for birds and mammals to move between habitats. For example, the increase in pollutants from cars next to the LWS will harm many different species from lichens and bryophytes to insects and birds, impacting the intricate food chains and ecological diversity of the LWS. There is evidence that the decrease in house sparrows (a UK BAP priority species) is directly related to the decrease in insects which is thought to be due to a number of factors, including air pollution (nitrogen dioxide from combustion in particular) and lack of hedgerow diversity, something which gardens of new build homes will almost certainly be. The dense proximity of houses will disrupt species in other ways - increased noise can impact bird and mammal behaviour, garden use of insecticide and herbicides and dust smothering vegetation. Pow Grove is all that remains of a once larger site and it is important that we protect it as a wildlife refuge; there are few left in Solihull.

I must also comment on the increased burden this development will have on the junction between Sharmans Cross Road and Streetsbrook Road. If you travel through this junction between 7:30 and 9:00am you will know how congested this spot is already. The addition of 100+ more cars from the proposed development would affect this junction severely. On still days, the level of air pollution at this junction is tangible, we should be working to reduce it, not add to it. From a safety perspective, Sharmans Cross Road is busy already and cars drive too fast along it. I believe there was an accident just this week involving someone leaving the Arden site. We do not need more cars adding to this busy area.

My final concern is with the increased burden on amenities. Are there proposals for new infants schools and doctors surgeries within the area? The areas currents schools and doctors are already massively oversubscribed. I was recently offered a routine doctor's appointment for four weeks time, which is an unacceptable wait. I do not think the area has the suitable amenities for a development of this size.


I ask that you remove site 245 from the local development plan.