Question 19 - Infrastructure Requirements at Hockley Heath

The village does not have the infrastructure to accommodate the new houses. There is no doctors surgery and the local primary school does not have the capacity to accommodate the potential numbers of children from 100-150 properties (should sites 49 and 328 also be released from the green belt). The A3400 is used as a diversion for both the M40 and M42 and as such Hockley Heath experiences frequent congestion along the A3400 and connecting routes, with School Road being used to bypass congestion on the A3400.

The additional houses would increase noise pollution for existing residents and destroy a small wildlife habitat.

School road itself is a village lane, with no public footpath in parts. It could not sustain the extra houses given Hockley Heath has already been expanded recently

The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee believe the identified infrastructure requirements fall far short of the requirements for Hockley Heath.
1. Paragraph 189 states "Hockley Heath has regular bus services running through the village connecting Birmingham and Stratford and a more frequent service linking Solihull & Dickens Heath". This statement does not reflect reality following the recent changes made by Travel West Midlands. As of February 2019, Hockley Heath has the 20 service which terminates at Shirley and does not serve Birmingham. Additionally, TfWM (following their consultation - which incidentally did not consult on the changes made to HH bus services) has changed the bus service route and as such the service from Hockley Heath to Solihull and Dorridge station is effectively reduced to an hourly service due to timetabling, irrespective of this being a circular route. Access to rail services is limited; over 2 miles away.
2. School Road traffic has been a concern for some time and will be exacerbated by the Blythe Valley Park development, the effects of which are yet to be felt with the development in its early stages. Our survey, published in June 2018 as a part of the Neighbourhood Plan development process, had 87% of respondents indicating it was very important for highway changes to School Road to prevent excessive vehicle use arising from additional Blythe Valley Park development. This finding was in advance of any consultation associated with the release of green belt land on School Road
3. The village, and specifically the A3400, suffers from regular flooding/ponding following even moderate sustained rainfall. Hockley Heath Parish Council is engaging with Severn Trent Water and SMBC Highways to identify improvement works across the entire system (from storm drains to river outlet) but there is clear evidence that the drainage infrastructure in the village is struggling
4. There are pockets of Hockley Heath which still do not have access to "super fast" broadband and anecdotal reports of poor water pressure in areas of the village

See attached letter. The Open Spaces Society is Britain's oldest national conservation body, founded in
1865. The Society's aim is to protect, increase, enhance and champion open spaces,
common land, village greens and public paths.
Consequently, sections 96 to 98 of the NPPF headed Open space and recreation are
seen of particular importance.
The questions addressed by the Society are those headed Do you agree with the
infrastructure requirements? for each area. These are Questions 3, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 29, and 31.
No equivalent question was asked about the UK Central Hub, so a comment has been made in response to Question 44.

We act for the Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police (CCWMP) and are instructed to make representations on local development documents in respect of securing policy reference in such documents
see details in attached letter

see letter re: objecting to development in Hockley Heath

This is the response of Generator Group and Minton to the supplementary
consultation by Solihull Council on the Solihull Draft Local Plan January 2019. The
purpose of the response is to comment on the draft Plan and promote the site on land adj Harpers Field, Kenilworth Road Balsall Common for inclusion as a housing
allocation within the Plan. The response is by question order. Whilst we have
responded to each question, the detailed points in relation to our site are set out under question 39 and your attention is specifically drawn to this part of the response. It should be noted the site is developer owned and delivery of the site can therefore come forward early in the plan period

This is the response of Rosconn Strategic Land to the supplementary consultation by
Solihull Council on the Solihull Draft Local Plan January 2019. The purpose of the
response is to comment the draft Plan and promote three sites for inclusion as
housing allocations within the plan. The response is by question order.
The 3 sites are:
Land at Three Maypoles Farm Shirley
Land at r/o 2214 Stratford Road Hockley Heath
Land adj 161 Lugtrout Lane Solihull

The responses on the three sites to the Solihull Draft Local Plan 2016 consultation
are attached and which highlight the reasons why the sites should be allocations
within the Local Plan.

This document should also be read in conjunction with the Ecology Report and
Heritage Assessment in relation to land adj to 161 Lugtrout Lane, Solihull.
Your attention is also drawn to the attached Masterplan for land r/o 2214 Stratford
Road Hockley Heath.

Not withstanding that this is an informal consultation we consider that the document
should be accompanied by an up to date SA.

This is the response of Stonewater to the supplementary consultation by Solihull
Council on the Solihull Draft Local Plan January 2019. The purpose of the response is
to comment the draft Plan and promote the site at the Firs Maxstoke Lane (west of
Meriden proposed allocation site 10) for inclusion as a housing allocation within the
Plan. The response is by question order.
The original response to the Solihull Draft Local Plan 2016 consultation is also
attached which highlights the reasons why the site should be an allocation within the
Local Plan (Site Ref 137).

see detailed comment in attached letter

This is the response of Mr Taj Khan, Sid Kelly and John Green to the supplementary
consultation by Solihull Council on the Solihull Draft Local Plan January 2019. The
purpose of the response is to comment on the draft Plan and promote the site at 15,
59, & 61 Jacobean Lane Knowle for inclusion as a housing allocation within the Plan
and land north of Jacobean Lane being removed from the Green Belt and to support
the removal of land from the Green Belt to rectify anomalies and for consistency.
See detail response in attached letter and appendices

This is the response of Minton to the supplementary consultation by Solihull Council
on the Solihull Draft Local Plan January 2019. The purpose of the response is to
comment the draft Plan and promote the site at Oak Farm Catherine de Barnes for
inclusion as a housing allocation within the Plan. The response is by question order.
The original response to the Solihull Draft Local Plan 2016 consultation is also
attached which highlights the reasons why the full Oak Farm site should be an
allocation within the Local Plan. We have also carried out our own Green Belt
Assessment a copy of which is attached

I live opposite Site 25. It is currently inhabited by various livestock, Grey Herons, Woodpeckers, and several varieties of wildfowl. I now face the prospect of facing a housing estate, additional traffic, my drive being blocked (more-so) by inconsiderate parents on the school run, potentially some form of turning circle outside my house, increased noise, air and light pollution. The road (which is both "rat-run" and a local racetrack), is too narrow to support existing traffic and parking needs. There's no Doctor or pharmacy nearby, and no regular busses. How could any right-minded individual expect my support for this development?

Housing development Hockley Heath

I wish to express my concerns about increased traffic in Hockley Heath, particularly in the area around Hockley Heath Primary school, should the proposed housing development off School Road take place. I have no objection to a housing development other than the potential for increased risk to both road and pedestrian users in this area. Therefore, I would like to suggest that land adjacent to Hockley Heath school be purchased (by the developers) and used for collection and drop off of school children.

Currently, twice a day the residential area opposite Hockley Heath Primary school becomes a hazard both for car users and pedestrians.
* Cars which are used to collect and drop children off:
* block the access roads
* park on pavements and block access for pedestrians
* Idle engines and cause pollution and noise.
While I appreciate that homes must be built, I hope that a practical solution can be found to address the issue of increased traffic around the Primary school.

The village has already had approximately 120 houses built recently. The road infrastructure could not cope with any more additional dwellings, we will already be having extra traffic from the new Blythe Valley travelling through the village on roads which are already unsuitable and heavily used.
The drainage is already struggling causing the drains to back up and flood in various places regularly.
i believe the countryside and wildlife should be protected under the greenbelt and i therefore would not like to see this application go ahead.

Object to release of washed over/green belt.. School Road affected already by development in Cheswick Green/Blythe Valley/Dickens Heath, road dangerous and not suitable for more traffic. Increase in homes will result in greater difficulty with no additional access direct to A3400, build-up of traffic leaving School Road.

Flooding an issue opposite Tutnall Drive and surrounding fields along School Road.

School capacity already at a maximum, more housing = local children may not be accommodated in village school.

Village facilities would be stretched, proposals for bus service reduction, no doctor/pharmacy or local businesses, means more people, more congestion.

Dear Sir,
I was very concerned to hear at the Parish Council meeting that two pieces of land in School Road, Hockley Heath have been removed from the green belt. What is the point of green belt protection if it can so easily be lifted? You are no doubt aware that the survey of Hockley Heath residents in preparation for the local plan demonstrated that concern for the green belt was a major consideration, with around 90% siting this as their first priority. This proposed development of between 100 and 130 houses will substantially alter the the aspect of the village for the worst. We only have to look at the development of Dickens Heath to see what can go wrong.
I believe that there is no way to mitigate the impact of the traffic from this development and it will only be a matter of time before a school child or other local resident is run over.
Traffic on school road is already too fast and needs control. When this is added to by traffic from the Blythe Valley development this area will be impossible to negotiate.
While I am aware that new housing is needed in Solihull I think it needs more local attention to understand the impact.
At the council meeting the 'promoters', their term,of this development claimed that they had spoken to the head of the primary school and that she was quite happy with the changes. Firstly, I would suggest that the school is already at maximum capacity and without the disastrous development onto the playing field there is no room for growth. Secondly, with due respect for the head she does not live here and may not be the head next year. We need a long term view of this project, we don't need someone with only passing interest.
Further to this the promoters claim to have carried out a traffic survey, no local residents are aware of this work being done. I am not trying to accuse them of lying but surely someone would have noticed this activity?
I would be very interested to hear what you are doing to protect the interests of the residents of Hockley Heath.

Yours Sincerely,

Stephen Batchelor

School Road is 16ft. wide for much of its length and is already busy and dangerous. Additional traffic generated by 100 new homes and the Blythe Valley development will add to the likelihood of accidents, especially at school times. The neighbourhood plan survey conducted in 2018 showed no local support for new developments in School Road and proposed that if these were necessary they should be to the north of the road, which makes a natural boundary for the Green Belt. Surely the views of local residents who know the area should be considered in such matters.

I object to the proposed development because:-
1) Traffic generation. School Road & village road structure cannot cope.
2) Highway Safety. Increased traffic will be a danger to pupils.
3) Drains. The village drainage system already struggles.
4) Health. It is already difficult to get a GP appointment.
5) Nature conservation. There are lots of wildlife in the fields.
6) Fields are heavily waterlogged already
7) Public Transport is already poor and would need to be improved.

Hockley Heath is beauty small village. The area around school road should remain clear of new build due to the school being so close. The school is also at maximum capacity in my opinion and adding more spaces will be a detriment to the education our children receive.
The build will also take away the beautiful green land which is home to wildlife and make Hockley Heath the beautiful village it is. I do not agree with this plan.

The land south of school road should not be considered as allocated site. That area is beautiful and green and should not be used to build on. Hockley Heath is a thriving small village. More homes would also mean pressure on the school to provide spaces. Current students will suffer as the ratio between students and teachers will increase making their education tougher
Hockley Heath is a beautiful small village and will not thrive from a development that big. The school is already at capacity, with adding more children, the children who already go there will suffer academically due to more children against one teacher.
I also oppose due to the building taking away the beautiful greenery we have in the village which is home to wildlife. I strongly oppose the building work.

Green belt provides an important break between the suburban spread and countryside. This proposal is eroding this and will mean that future development will be considered in the green belt. Hockley Heath will become part of the Dorridge/Knowle Suburban sprawl. Should we not be considering more brown field sites in urban areas and housing options that provide higher densities?.

School road is already dangerous with many traffic accidents occurring, it is too narrow for the traffic at present. This will be further exacerbated by the housing proposals at Blythe Valley. More development on School Road will lead to accidents if the road is not improved.

Infrastructure in Hockley Heath will not accommodate this significant rise in households. There are few public transport options, limited shops for locals and the school is already crammed onto a small site.

These proposals will increase development in housing in Hockley Heath from 792 dwellings by a further 20% (144 houses all on School road). This is very disproportionate and with proposals at Blythe Valley will severely effect what is essentially a rural community

see attached document