Question 5 - Site 2 - Frog Lane

Object

Representation ID: 8797

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land North of School Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's - site 416) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 8815

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land West of Stratford Road

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, such as Site 1.
Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and a housing trajectory will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Sites with less land assembly issues that are available for development now (such as our Client's) are much more deliverable in the early years of the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 8836

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land Fronting Waste Lane

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

Whilst we agree with the spatial approach to development in Balsall Common, we would query whether there is evidence on the deliverability of some sites, for instance Barratts Farm (site 1), which has over 10 landowners within the allocation and relies on significant infrastructure for its delivery. Evidence is required to demonstrate delivery and the assumed built rate will be crucial in the Regulation 19 Plan. Our Client's land is available now and can be delivered early in the Plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 8855

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Rainier Developments Ltd - Land South of Park Lane

Agent: Barton Willmore Planning

We agree with the identification of the Balsall Common sites given the sustainable nature of the settlement. However as above, it is clear that employment land will be required

Object

Representation ID: 8871

Received: 14/03/2019

Respondent: Mr D Deanshaw

Not acceptable - should be removed, sets a dangerous precedent south of B4101, will lead to pressure for widening of Frog Lane and expansion further west, could be used for sports facilities or hotel/offices, with housing relocated to Grange Farm.

Comment

Representation ID: 8882

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Sport England

Welcome the retention of the playing fields at the eastern end of the site and this should be reflected in the policy allocating the site. Alternatively, the playing fields should be removed from the proposed allocation.

Object

Representation ID: 8883

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Gemma Blanco

Froglane should not be included as it promotes erosion of intrinsic green belt and habitat, contradicts 'settlement first approach' (paragraph 7) and would set a precedent for future/adjacent greenfield developments. It is not ideally situated to transport links and local amenities, promoting reliance on vehicles, negatively impacting on a rural environment. Close proximity to school - increased traffic on an already congested road - threatening children's lives.

Object

Representation ID: 8942

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Ms Wendy Gault

Site selection methodology is not robust and loss of green belt

Object

Representation ID: 9074

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Mr Richard Hansell

Frog Lane is a very narrow country road with little traffic and well liked and used by walkers.
Unlike Barratt's Farm the Green Belt to the south is beautiful rolling countryside.
Poor access alone makes it totally inappropriate to build over 100 homes here.
The lane itself is likely to become a rat-race, and once the homes are built there'll bell nothing to stop further development eastwards.
With only a narrow road separating the houses from the Green Belt it will then be only a matter of time before development extends southwards.
Frog Lane is certainly not a defensible boundary!

Support

Representation ID: 9089

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Mrs Debbie Hatfield

This plan maintains the playing fields.

Object

Representation ID: 9117

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Mrs Eleanor Lee

As defined in the human rights act protocol1 article1, a person has the right to peaceful enjoyment of their possessions which includes their home. As a resident of Balsall Street East I have concerns of being overlooked, Solihull council has responsibility to uphold this and not introduce 115 homes adjacent to and overlooking our home.
Introduction of 150 new homes with a single access point for over 200 cars will cause increased congestion and pollution To Balsall Street East. Frog Lane is at the furthest point from any local amenities and transport links making an already congested road significantly worse.

Object

Representation ID: 9287

Received: 20/03/2019

Respondent: L&Q Estates and Barratt David Wilson Homes

Agent: Avison Young

To summarise our position, in our view the land at Frog Lane performs a more important role in terms of Green Belt function than at Grange Farm. As such the following observations should have been taken into account when Frog Lane was categorised:
The release of land at Frog Lane will result in development extending southwards and would represent a clear physical extension of development into the countryside.
Our conclusion was that Frog Lane should score 7 in terms of GB impact whereas Grange Farm should score 5 and should thus be preferred.

Comment

Representation ID: 9307

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Spitfire Bespoke Homes

Agent: Ridge and Partners LLP

This allocation has already been reduced in numbers to around 100-110 and questions must be raised at to whether it will be able to delivery the amount set out.

Support

Representation ID: 9536

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Richard Lloyd

The proposed layout simply takes the available space and fills it with houses. The
proposal would be less intrusive if the adjacent playing fields, and possibly the
allotments, were redistributed to create green spaces between the houses. While
incurring extra cost and disruption, it would create a far more attractive area, and
there would be an opportunity to provide access onto Holly Lane.

Object

Representation ID: 9620

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Balsall Parish Council

Object, as a 'settlement first' approach should retain green belt boundary to south-west of Balsall Common, with Balsall Street/East a defensible boundary rather than 'cherry pick' site. Would set precedent potentially opening up land to Saracen Drive and impact on rural character of Frog Lane. Preferred use of site should be for expanded sports facilities. Site not accessible as furthest from station and village amenities. Will worsen highway congestion concerns in Balsall Street near to Holly Lane/Alder Lane hot spot and use as single carriageway by buses due to parking. Key local habitat. Medium density housing conflicts with local character.

Comment

Representation ID: 9858

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Historic England- West Midlands Region

Historic England understands that a Heritage Impact Assessment of this proposed allocation has been commissioned by the local authority. This vital evidence will help the Council and interested parties in a consideration of the site's suitability in principle and, without prejudice, an appropriate design response to satisfy national policy and legislation in relation to the historic environment and the delivery of sustainable development.
Notwithstanding that the above evidence has not been applied, Historic England acknowledge the merit of the SMBC Draft Concept Masterplanning exercise and how the local authority considers potential future development might respond to the affected heritage assets.

Support

Representation ID: 10119

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Mr David Varley

Frog Lane will make a good defensible boundary for any development. Being towards the south of Balsall Common building could take place without being constrained by other developments such as HS2 or By-pass. It is easy to travel in all directions from the site by car and is a relatively easy walk down Station Road directly to the Station.

Support

Representation ID: 10246

Received: 12/03/2019

Respondent: Mr William Cairns

Ideal site for small development close to bus routes, schools and within meaningful distance to the centre with a good rural outlook.