Question 20 - Site 25 - School Road

I do not support the development as I don't believe that Hockley Heath can accommodate any more development however I agree that this is the best site of those put forward.I would strongly object to any of the red sites being included for the reasons yourselves have outlined.

I understand the pressure to identify sites for the additional housing needs but believe that SMBC should consider very carefully whether Hockley Heath has the facilities to accommodate up to 100 new homes. There would need to be some very careful consideration of how many aspects including how the school could be sensitively supported and expanded to accommodate the new children and what additional facilities Hockley Heath would need to be able to provide.

In addition, there are significant highways issues with the existing level of traffic along School Road (leading up to the Stratford Road junction) and this would need to be a priority of both the Council and the developer to resolve prior to any planning application.

In respect of the draft concept masterplan, I consider that the density of housing proposed is not consistent with the level found in Hockley Heath and would not safeguard the natural environment currently found in that area. My observation would be that it should be a more mixed development with perhaps an extended facility for the school, such as a nursery, and some car parking with a very safe crossing to the North side of School Road. I would observe that within the proposed masterplan there is insufficient parking for proposed residents so it is likely that the scheme would worsen the parking situation along School Road, rather than improve it! I don't consider that the concept masterplan takes into enough consideration the feedback that was given to the developers at their consultation event. This needs to be a better compromise between the inevitable commercial aspects of development versus what the community could (and should be expected) to accept.

No, because: Over the last 2 years, at various locations within Hockley Heath, I believe approximately 120 new dwellings have been built with no extra facilities. It is green belt land that is being eroded and we are loosing valuable countryside. The draining structure in the village already struggles with parts of the village flooding regularly and could not cope with any thing extra.
The junction of School Road onto Stratford Road is already very dangerous, with car parks on both corners making it more difficult, additional traffic would be too much.

See attached letter

School rd is NOT a main road and already has a lot of congestion around the school+dangerous driving. Proposed plans for drop off point at school would still be of no use as on opposite side. It is a country lane+should be treated as such in regards to these plans. Flooding is common on School rd. Also an area rich in wildlife that will be destroyed (already at risk due to the traffic from Blythe V.) Amount of housing is out of proportion for size of the village.

School Road is incapable of managing more traffic flow, either from a new development and the planned housing in BVP. The road is narrow/fast in places with blind spots; speeding /dangerous driving have been reported often. Parking by school users is a serious issue that has gone unaddressed by the Council and School for the last 12 years. I have received threats from the public when addressing poor driving and parking and have called Police. The land is host to wildlife and nature that should be protected. The development itself is out of character and disproportionate with surrounding housing.

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?

We do not believe that Site 25 should be included as an allocated site.

School Road is a minor road and experiences congestion around the school. Local residents frequently inform the Parish Council of excessive speeding and safety concerns. In respect of suggestions that any future development could improve Hockley Heath Academy drop off and collections, we would point out that the development is on the other side of the busy School Road and we do not accept that the risks associated with additional children crossing the road offset the negative aspects of the release of the land. The existing volume and speed of traffic will be further impacted by BVP. School Road is also prone to flooding which has not been addressed within the draft consultation documentation. The road also lacks a footpath at the location of the proposed site 25 development.


In the Summer of 2018 the Parish Council ran a survey across the village in support of the Neighbourhood Plan. The survey received an excellent response rate for a survey of this type (50% of the village responded) and its findings will form a key element of the forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan. Our response to this consultation should be viewed as being informed by representative data from the village as a whole. The survey found:

a) 87% of respondents indicated 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 and potential housing.

b) the top priority in terms of the natural environment was to protect the views of green belt land and green spaces from inappropriate development (92% of residents).

c) 69% of residents felt that School Road should be protected from development (the highest response).


The draft concept masterplan for the site indicates a density of housing out of proportion to the village as whole.

Please see covering letter

Please see covering letter

Unsuitable site to build a further 100 homes. Too near to school entrance - safety issues. Traffic from School Road already uses Orchard Road as a cut through to avoid the School Road/Stratford Road junction. Houses being built in Ilshaw Heath will already cause more congestion in School Road. We can't continue to build on green belt in locations where the infrastructure and traffic conditions haven't been properly considered.

- as stated above, School Road already appears to be used beyond its design capacity and is dangerous to children and cyclists
- School Road is abused by speeding traffic as a cut through from Stratford Road
- the planning consent for Spitfire site specifically states there should be minimal light levels around the area due to bat activity; the light from new houses will contradict SMBC previous ruling

There are no clear grounds to object on.
The masterplan seems reasonable on initial inspections. Any detailed proposals will need to be reviewed with residents most closely impacted by the development.

School Road is a minor road and experiences congestion around the school. School Road is also prone to flooding which has not been addressed within the draft consultation documentation. The road also lacks a footpath at the location of the proposed site 25 development. The natural environment and the views of green belt land and green spaces must be protected from inappropriate development

We live on Blackberry Avenue and I fully agree that heavy congestion currently occurs in School Road. Adding 100 to 150 properties so close to the school will only make this worse. The school also cannot accommodate all of these extra houses. Already it is at full capacity and there is no room for them to expand. Our local amenities cannot support a development of this size and school road should be protected as it is currently, by green belt land.

The Hockley Heath Neighbourhood Planning Steering Committee do not believe that Site 25 should be included as an allocated site. In the Summer of 2018 we ran a survey across the village in support of the Neighbourhood Plan. The survey received an excellent response rate for a survey of this type (50% of the village responded) and its findings will form a key element of the forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan. Our response to this consultation should be viewed as being informed by representative data from the village as a whole.
1. Our survey showed 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
2. The top priority in terms of the natural environment was to protect the views of Green Belt land and green spaces from inappropriate development (92% of residents)
3. 69% felt that School Road should be protected from development (the highest response)
The draft concept masterplan for the site indicates a density of housing out of proportion to the village as whole. The Steering Committee do recognise the opportunities to improve community access to the canal network. In respect of suggestions that any future development could improve Hockley Heath Academy drop off and collections, we would point out that the development is on the other side of the busy School Road and we do not accept that the risks associated with additional children crossing the road offset the negative aspects of the release of the land.
The NP Steering Committee recognise that Site 25 does offer a more defensible green belt boundary than other sites in the village and agree wholeheartedly with SMBC that should other sites be released (particularly in the north of the village) this would more likely lead to the future erosion of the green belt. However, for the reasons stated above, the SC feel that the release of this specific site should be avoided, based on the assumption that should this site retain its green belt designation, its release would not then be subsequently 'displaced' to other much less favourable sites elsewhere in the village.

See Letter

Please refer to attached document.

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

We do not have the infrastructure for this development. The school is at capacity there are no doctors surgeries or chemists. The road is not wide enough and we have just had the Aylesbury Park and part ownership houses built on the Stratford Road as well as the extensive Blythe Valley estate (500 houses). Enough is enough, the green belt is being taken from us and Hockley Heath Village will soon become another major Town.

We write on behalf of our Client, Kendrick Homes Limited, who have an interest in land to the north side of School Road, Hockley Heath - referred to as Land adjacent 84 School Road (Site Ref: 49) within the Council's current Draft Solihull Local Plan Review Supplementary Consultation (DSLPRSC).
see details in attached letter

I do not agree for the following reasons:
1. The plan removes what is effectively the last green belt within the village, certainly the last in School Road.
When the next LDP consultation takes place in under 15 years more land will be needed and should be taken into account in developing this plan. Current Amber and Red sites should be reconsidered in the light of this rather than the current short term view.
2. School road is rural and already recognised as a serious problem for trafic and cyclist using it. 150 new homes together with traffic from the major Blythe Valley development using it as a "rat run"ill only make it far worse.
3.Site 25 as planned will increase the size of Hockley Heath by 12% according to figures in this LDP. Adding the sites to the north of the road adds another 50 houses making 19% growth. With the new housing completed last year by Waterloo housing and Spitfire brings his to 25% growth in the village putting unacceptable pressure on the local infrastructure.