Question 12 - Site 4 - Land West of Dickens Heath

There are good aspects to the proposed development (wildlife area, green pathways, retention of hedgerows), but there are serious issues with adding this number of houses to an already congested area. The traffic flow out of Dickens Heath on weekdays is already beyond what the roads can cope with - both Dickens Heath Road and Tythe Barn lane. Adding 350 extra houses will probably be at least 400-500 extra cars, which will be a significant extra burden on roads that can't cope with the existing traffic. All the talk of extra bus routes (which are really no change from what they were 5 years ago) is all very well, but the bus route west is very inefficient (I can walk to Beckett's faster than the bus gets there), and the route east is good for Solihull, but not much else (Can't be used for Alderbrook / Tudor Grange schools, for example).
Expecting people to walk to Whitlock's End station is optimistic - it's only a 15 minute walk from the centre of Dickens Heath, but the parking lot is already too small - so adding a load of extra people to use this will further overload it. Not to mention that that train line is completely overcrowded in the morning, with standing room only from 7:26 onwards.

The building of houses north of Tythe Barn lane further reduces the size of the green belt break from Shirley,

Dickens Heath has provided a huge number of new houses over the last 20 years, including a large number as part of the recent development 2 years ago. It's about time some other areas took some of the strain instead.

It should be noted that certain areas have provided new housing to a much greater extent over the past 15-20 years than others. Dickens Heath has probably provided the bulk of Solihull's new houses for years, and to expect it to absorb another 350 houses as proposed (Site 4 West) is overburdening the already strained infrastructure.

Site 4 Development & its Effect on Dickens Heath

On 9 February my wife and I visited the drop-in session in Dickens Heath Library regarding the Solihull Local Plan Review and although we posed a number of questions to your representatives there, we were extremely dissatisfied with the unsatisfactory answers we were given. Like many of our neighbours we are horrified at the cavalier way Solihull seem to be riding roughshod over local opinion even after seeking the views of local residents. As a resident of Birchy Close for 6 years, we have seen massive changes which have impacted upon us hugely - the increase in traffic (for which there has been no allowance made), the overloading of the infrastructure (which has not been improved) and also the lack of understanding of the original concept of Dickens Heath as a village. I feel we have been swamped. As a member of the Birchy Close Residents' Association, we have been kept fully informed of the intended developments of Dickens Heath at Site 4 and this leaves me with no hope for the future.

Provision of Housing Near Whitlock's End Station

There are other sites in the Solihull area of a lower grade of Green Belt which would have lesser adverse impact and be in a more sustainable location - this would significantly outweigh the benefits of building houses near the railway station

Loss of High Performing Green Belt Land

This is contrary to Government Policy, and would lead to coalescence between Dickens Heath, Whitlock End, Majors Green and Bromsgrove District.

Traffic

Extra people/traffic will exacerbate congestion through the Dickens Heath Village, on the A34 and surrounding roads especially at peak times. Parking at the station and in the village centre is already inadequate, and demands on local rail services will become critical.

Sport Facilities

Loss of sports grounds/recreation areas for 9 clubs which is contrary to Government Policy.





Village Concept

As I stated earlier, the original "village" character was what made it attractive. This would be lost. The award winning design & concept of Dickens Heath is of a new village surrounded by Green Belt with no part more than 800 m / 10 mins walk from village centre - Site 4 housing proposals are beyond this circle. Any proposals to make a footpath onto Birchy Close would be strongly resisted by the residents. Therefore the location of Site 4 is unsustainable: not linked to Dickens Heath (no physical connection by road or cycleway or footpath) and outside the 800 m circle from the village centre. There are existing natural boundaries to the Village - canal to east and north, line of woodland (Ancient woodland, LNR) on west side and this proposal will be out on a limb detracting from the character of the Village.

Ecology

The development would have a significant adverse impact on the ecology of the area, which has 4 Local Wildlife Sites, affecting the ecological connectivity of the area. Also potential for loss of habitats that support legally protected species including great crested newts, badger setts and bat roosts.

Flooding

The sports fields are liable to flooding most years and this would exacerbate the flooding problem to neighbouring properties. The Site consists of deep boulder clay which does not drain well and dwellings would need to be built on deep piles. Other recent developments (e.g. Rumbush Lane) experienced severe flooding problems in May of 2018 despite the contractors having provided "adequate" drainage facilities and holding pools. At the meeting I attended on 9 February the council planning representatives were very reluctant to discuss the council flooding team's researches.

Objections to Site 4

90% of respondents to the last Dickens Heath Parish Council survey objected to Site 4.
Akamba Garden Centre

As a unique and very individual contribution to the locality, this should be retained.



Dickens Heath School

This is already oversubscribed, and the demand for extra places will become vast.

Finally, I feel that Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green have already had more than their "fair share" of development during the lastLocal Plan allocations - the distinct pressure on on roads and other infrastructure has increased to a stage where we are seriously considering moving away from Solihull whom I believe are paying no real attention to the residents, and in every way the Borough is failing to retain its "Urbs in Rure" motto

I accept that SMBC need to meet their housing requirements as required by the Government. The proposed reduction from 700 to 350 houses is welcome and is the decision not to proceed with the Sports Stadium is also a plus. As a resident of Majors Green my overriding concern is the potential increase in traffic through our village which is already at an uncomfortable level from a noise, pollution and pedestrian safety perspective. I request that you look carefully at the infrastructure changes needed to accommodate this increase, taking into account the additional 300 houses planned for Site 26. Thanks

Adverse impacts of developing this Site for housing would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of providing houses near a railway station when there are other sites in the Solihull area that are of a lower grade of Green Belt with lesser adverse impacts and are in a more sustainable location.
Impact on the function of high performing Green Belt status of land will be lost which is contrary to Government Policy; there would be coalescence between Dickens Heath, Whitlock End, Majors Green and Bromsgrove District.
Extra people/traffic will exacerbate congestion through the Dickens Heath Village, on the A34 and surrounding roads especially at peak times.
Demands on already crowded local rail services and inadequate parking at the station and Village centre.
Loss of sports grounds/recreation areas for 9 clubs which is contrary to Government Policy.
Loss of Village character that makes it attractive. The award winning design & concept of Dickens Heath is of a new village surrounded by Green Belt with no part more than 800 m / 10 mins walk from village centre - Site 4 housing proposals are beyond this circle. Any proposals to make a footpath onto Birchy Close would be strongly resisted by the residents. Therefore the location of Site 4 is unsustainable: not linked to Dickens Heath (no physical connection by road or cycleway or footpath) and outside the 800 m circle from the village centre. There are existing natural boundaries to the Village - canal to east and north, line of woodland (Ancient woodland, LNR) on west side and this proposal will be out on a limb detracting from the character of the Village.
Impact on landscape character; within an area of high sensitivity.
Tithe Barn Wood is a most significant Ancient Woodland in Solihull south of main urban area. The ancient woodland is likely to require a suitable semi-natural buffer which, together with the ancient hedgerows, will reduce the areas of development.
The development would have a significant adverse impact on the ecology of the area, which has 4 Local Wildlife Sites, affecting the ecological connectivity of the area. Also potential for loss of habitats that support legally protected species including great crested newts, badger setts and bat roosts.
The sports fields are liable to flooding most years and would exacerbate the flooding problem to neighbouring properties. The Site consists of deep boulder clay which does not drain well and dwellings would need to be built on deep piles.
90% of respondents to Dickens Heath Parish Council survey objected to Sites 4.
The Akamba Garden Centre should be retained. As owner of this establishment I welcome the indication of the Akamba site as retained in the Illustrative Emerging Concept Masterplan, which is a local employer and acts as a community hub for social interaction.
Demand for places at oversubscribed Dickens Heath School
Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green has already taken its 'fair share' of development during the last Local Plan allocations.

Objection to site 4 - Land west of Dickens Heath
I strongly object to further building in this area, you may have reduced the number of houses down from 700 to 350, but this is still 350 more properties than this area can stand or actually wants.

I object for the following reasons:

1. This area already has the highest car ownership in the borough. Each property comes with at least 2 new vehicles, which will be at least another 700 vehicles on our roads, that is without considering visitors to these houses. Roads which are already getting more and more congested especially at 'rush hour". The roads are already unsuitable, without even completion of the Fulford hall site, or the new site on Lowbrooke Lane. So what are they going to be like with all this extra housing?

2. The impact on the Green belt, we bought our property here because we felt secure by the Green belt status. We bought into a village surrounded by fields, which is fast becoming a town, and an extension of Shirley. It will just end up as one big concrete site.

3. I do not think the council have considered or thought through the impact on existing households, all this new buildings impact on the character of the area we live, ancient hedgerows and the important Tithe Barn ancient woodland.

4. All this building will impact the ecology of the area, with potential to loose or damage protected sites for badger setts, bats and great crested newts.

5. 90% of Dickens Heath residents objected to site 4, so why is this site even still being considered? As a council do you not listen or even respect your council tax payers?

6. There will be extra demand on Whitocks End station which is already overcrowded, leading to parking problems, congestion and pollution.

Finally, as a village we have had more than our fair share of disruption, and building. Remember this was Green Belt, please start building in other more suitable areas in the borough, and leave us in peace.

I object because infrastructure plans to cope with significantly increased traffic hav'nt been declared. Majors Green (Bromsgrove district) borders Solihull at the very dangerous bend and junction between Haslucks Green road and Tilehouse Lane, near Whitlocks end Station. I live in Rosebriars, a cul-de-sac which is very close to the dangerous bend. There have been many accidents and on 2 recent occasions, cars have left the road, ending up in my neighbours rear garden, which backs onto the bend. What are you going to do? Housing developments are fine, but please take responsibility for significantly increasing danger in Majors Green.

1) Traffic
This is already horrendous during rush hour & school run time, regularly backing up along Tythe Barn Lane past the turning for the school.
I was previously told that they would widen Tythe Barn Lane to help with the traffic - I pointed out that this meant the destruction of major hedgerows & was only possible up to the point where the existing houses begin. Nobody had an answer to that.

2) Walking distance to the train station will NOT mean that there is little to no extra impact on traffic through the village - I have lived here 20 years now and in that time I have NEVER worked in a location that available public transport could get me to in under 2 hours (whereas 10 - 30 mins by car, yes).

3) The houses for Dickens Heath are all supposed to be built within a few minutes walk of the village centre, these proposed new ones are not, meaning the people who move into these would generally have to drive to use the local shops, thereby contributing to the problems with parking we already have.

4) Loss of sports facilities.
There is already a lack of local facilities for children, especially teenagers. How on earth does trying to cram 4 football clubs & a rugby club onto 2 pitches help? All it will achieve is that some clubs will fold, reducing the availability of sports facilities for adults & children alike.
The rugby club alone has over 100 children taking part, 3 rugby pitches & a football pitch, additional space for smaller pitches for the youngest players, decent size car park and other groups also use the facilities at other times - even if they were the only club being put onto the 2 pitch area, it is still a major loss of facilities.

5) Pressure on local facilities such as doctor's surgery, schools, etc.

6) Flora & fauna
Whilst the "wildlife areas" marked on the plan are to be commended, if these proposals go ahead there will be a lot of destruction of mature trees and hedgerows.

7) Affordable housing - do the proposals actually include any housing that would be affordable for people just getting on to the property ladder, or (as mentioned below) would it just be more *very* expensive 4+ bedroom family homes?

8) Flooding
There have been a number of flooding incidents over recent years, the concreting over of yet more green land will undoubtedly have a further adverse affect in this area.

We do not have the infrastructure to handle this. Since Dickens Heath was built the roads in the area are all so busy now that Haslucks Green Road is non stop traffic for many times of the day. Tidbury Heights has just been built and Dickens Heath has been further extended. The roads, schools and health services can't handle the loads now so you can't build any more around here.

The development: significant impact on the ecology of the area - wild life. I agree with Para. 141 regarding Green Belt Enhancements, particularly the allocation (previously Site 13) of a country park on the land at south Shirley. "Objectives" page 20 'Solihull Local Plan Review' 2016 November. "Ensure quality design and development which integrates with its surroundings and creates ---- attractiveness and to people's quality of life". The Prime Minister's statement January 2018 Environment Policy "We hold our natural environment in trust for the next generation --- natural environment protected and enhanced for the future" Limited space for full quotes.

The Road infrastructure to the east and west of this development, which would be the exits and entrants to this development are both at full capacity. With standing traffic on both exits/entrant at rush hour periods. The bridge at Whitlocks End Train Station is to narrow to take currant volumes of traffic and the poor footpath to the station from Majors Green is dangerous to use at this present moment. It has to be considered that these roads will not only be taking traffic from this development but also from all the other planned developments in the area.

As a resident on Haslucks Green Road in Majors Green, I have to object about the potential increase in traffic which will be forced to go through our village due to extra housing on Site 4. The already congested "Country Road" creates havoc getting off our driveway. Haslucks Green Road has become a "City Road", unsafe to walk through, noisy and polluted.
Infrastructure desperately needs looking at. Thank you.

Experiencing other drivers anger and horn sounding when I slowdown to enter the drive to my home on Haslucks Green road. How will an increase of housing (plot 4) without any change to infrastructure,particularly road/public transport impact on the point made above?
with the increased volume of traffic on Haslucks Green road at Whitlocks End station;pedestrian access is now inadequate and dangerous - poor footpaths - very difficult to cross Haslucks Green road/Tilehouse Lane. More homes provided at plot 4 will impact the greenbelt buffer between SMBC and BDC not to mention school/GP's.

I live in Major's Green and the infrastructure around is at bursting point. We cannot take on extra vehicles without an obverse effect on the country roads. There needs to be an alternative road(s) put in place to take the traffic away, many use the roads at great speed as Rat Runs.

Current level of traffic is extremely heavy, we can't get off the drive and cannot cross the roads at busy times. Since the building of new estates in Tidbury Green and Solihull Lodge traffic numbers have increased and the air quality has greatly reduced. The planned building levels are going to further impact on the quality of life in Majors Green. The roads are narrow and are little more than country lanes and cannot cope with the amount of traffic that is currently using them, Also I have concerns that there is no capacity at local schools or GP surgeries.

Concerned about the impact of additional traffic on the safety of pedestrians due to the dangerous narrow pavements from Haslucks Green Road to Whitlocks End Station . Due to the increased volume of traffic it is very difficult to cross the road safely at Tilehouse Lane / Haslucks Green Road .
Increased risk of flooding inMajors Green due to the development of additional housing the canal flooded over into gardens last year.
Reduction in the green belt with the development of more homes at plot 4 will reduce the green belt buffer between Bromsgrove and Solihull



nMajors Green

Having lived in Majors Green for 58 years since birth, I am most concerned about the major impact that these new builds will have on our 'Country Lanes' in and around Majors Green. They are already congested at peak periods due to developments at Tidbury Green and Dickens Heath. I have seen our roads come under more and more pressure by the increased volume of traffic over the years. We cannot cope with anymore. It will cause more noise and pollution also risk to pedestrian safety. You have a duty to protect our Green Belt and environment.

The current plans do not reflect the need to keep the seperation from existing settlements adding significantly to busy roads schools etc. The infrastructure plans are not sufficient to meet overall plan requirements. The focus for this development is sacrificing too many leisure facilities, natural habitat and historic landscapes. Too much development has already taken place in Blythe, disproportionately compared to other locations in Solihull.

I live in Littlemead Road having moved to the area 8 months ago at that time we found out that our house insurance is higher due to Majors Green being in a flood risk area, the fields that this proposed site will be irradiated and then where will the excess rain water go? Our house insurances will again cost us more! Our small roads already flood and retain excessive water when we have a storm.
The existing roads around Majors Green are already heavily congested where it can take up to a few minutes to exit Rusheligh onto Majors Green. Traffic is always excessive and heavy around Whitlocks End train station

All the roads that lead in and out of Dickens Heath are small narrow lanes with ancient hedge rows, traffic and parking in this area are already a major concern to local residents. Putting large amounts of more new homes will result in grid lock. This area has large amounts of well used sports grounds moving them will cause even more traffic. This site is now sprawling into Majors Green and Tidbury green.

(please see uploaded notes).
I object to the loss of sports facilities and the impact on the community (negatively impact the fabric of teams no longer being able to train, play and host matches). From a health and social perspective, this is unacceptable. The impact of new residents on overstretched roads and potential future flooding (less fields and more run off). The removal of open space and trees/plants will negatively impact the animal/ bird life as well as the environment for current residents. Without additional services (such as school places), this proposal is not sustainable

Lower grade green belt sites in Solihull area are in a more sustainable location.
Also flooding has recently been severe problem in this clay area & this development will clearly make it worse in wet weather.
This will increase demands on already over crowded parking facilities in town centre & rail station
Loss of sports grounds & recreation areas for 9 clubs which is contrary to Government policy
Demand for places at already oversubscribed Dickens Heath School

The extra housing will increase traffic and pollution. Bills Lane is narrow and too busy now.

Building homes on this green space site will create more traffic problems for the area. Bills Lane regularly has traffic jams during the morning rush hour and at times during the day it is difficult trying to cross the road on foot.

I accept the need for new housing and do appreciate the reduction in massing but I am seriously concerned at the lack of infrastructure this increase of 600 plus car usage requires. There are regular accidents at Tilehouse Lane junction Stratford canal bridge and the bend close to Bills Lane junction. This will only increase with the increase in traffic usage particularly at rush hours. Lorries and coaches have to slow, sometimes stop to pass on this road. In addition there will be increases in noise and air pollution and pedestrian safety will be reduced with this proposed development.

Loss of sports ground / recreation areas for 9 clubs which is contrary to Govt. policy
Demands on already crowded local rail services & inadequate parking at the station & village centre
Liable to flooding already - this area when developed will deteriorate surrounding areas particularly in Dickens Heath
Demand for places at Dickens Heath school which is oversubscribed already.
90% of respondents to the last Dickens Heath Parish Council survey objected to site 4
Dickens Heath & Tidbury Green have already taken their fair share of development during the last Local Plan allocations

Increase in traffic in an area that has already seen this following expansion of Dickens Heath. Whitlock's end station is on a dangerous stretch of road near a bridge and is already full to capacity in terms of parking most days of the week

I have concerns regarding this site as I am resident in Majors Green and this will increase traffic through our village. The recent housing built at Tidbury Green and Solihull Lodge has already had a huge effect resulting in long queues of vehicles on Haslucks Green and Peterbrook Road. My son in law took 40 minutes to get out of Whitlocks End station, it has taken visitors to our property 15 minutes to get off our drive. This is a village with roads that are essentially country lanes. The air quality has become poor. Traffic needs to be redirected.

The road infrastructure is inadequate; as is the drainage and there is past history of flooding even to those newbuild house recently constructed on the corner of Cleobury Lane. Playing fields will be massively reduced to only 2 no. pitches which would be not enough to resource the current facilities. Many current houses are built on piled foundations which would impact on any newbuild costs. Wildlife will be affected such as small deer which numbers have reduced severely over recent years.

We strongly object to this draft plan on infrastructure issues.
1. The roadways feeding these new homes are not capable of supporting any further traffic. Many accidents have already occurred on Haslucks Green Road. due to the severe bends,adverse camber and narrowness of the road.
2. The lack off primary and secondary school places.
3. The lack of doctors and dentists.
4. Further traffic noise and pollution to the environment.
5 Loss of sporting facilities for children and young iadults
6.Difficulty parking for train passengers at Whitlocks End causing friction when parking in residential roads.around the station.

Dear Sirs,
The roads in and around Majors Green and Whitlocks End are extremely busy and were and still are only country lanes, since Dickens Health was built the increase in the traffic using these narrow roads is already making it dangerous to cross any of the roads and trying to cross to Whitlocks End Station is extremely dangerous, building even more houses in this area is going to make traffic on these roads impossible while also destroying even more green belt land.