Question 28 - Site 18 - Sharmans Cross Road

See attached letter

See Letter

I wish to object to the proposed building of up to 67/100 houses on the above site.
I have lived on Sharmans Cross Road for nearly 20 years & have written & emailed several times objecting to any building on the site for purposes other than sport & recreation.
We must retain the covenant on the area that outlines its use for sporting purposes only.
The freehold on the site must also be retained & not sold on.
My house backs onto the proposed site & apart from the eyesore it will create, it will :
1. Totally destroy the current character of the area.
2. Parking along the road can be problematic at the moment. If building on this site is granted it will become horrific, especially when one calculates how many cars the average household in the area owns.
3. Drainage on the Victorian drains will become even worse than it is currently.... this road is well known for its flooding issues !
4. Increased population would also cause strain on the area from a medical viewpoint as well as from a schooling viewpoint. Waiting lists on catchment schools are already massively oversubscribed on all age levels.
5. The area I would look out onto from my garden would be so densely populated compared to the area at present.
At the moment I look out into mature trees & plantlife which will be destroyed if the area is urbanised !
6. As a family we enjoy membership of the Arden Tennis Club ... what will become of this private club ? So many possibilities have been mooted. It could become another sporting facility in jeopardy as a result.
Looking at the list of other proposed sites in this area that have been highlighted as suitable sites for residential homes I implore you to reconsider.
We need to foster co operation with SMBC, other sports clubs that would be interested in using the ground for the good of Solihull people.
At present the area has deliberately been left to become overgrown & problematic & a site for anti social behaviour by Oakwood Estates . It must stop now & SMBC must take some responsibility for this.
I implore you to do the right thing & save this site from being over densely populated site for new homes.

I am writing as I wish to object the sharmans cross site being used to build houses. For many years I have been using the Solihull Arden clubs facilities and fields. I wish for this site to stay being used as a sports and recreation field as I feel this is a good attribute to the community. I believe that building houses on this site would be a major eyesore and will destroy the character of the surrounding area. I also know that there are many problems with parking in the roads on Sharmans cross road which makes it difficult to turn into drives and creates traffic. Sharmans cross school already causes a lot of parking on the road and building houses on this site will add to that making it even more of a chaos. In addition to this increased population in this areas would create a strain on schooling . I feel that this site would be densely populated and damage the trees and plant life as it will be urbanised.

I am a resident of Sharmans Cross Road, Solihull and am writing to object strongly to the above proposal for the following reasons:

1 - The proposed development will be overbearing, out of scale and out of character with the established properties in the area. High density development of two to three storey buildings will greatly increase noise and pollution, and significantly reduce light and privacy for existing residents.

2 - The proposed area is not wasteland for development but valuable open space which is used and enjoyed by local residents and wildlife alike. Badgers and bats reside there and we have a woodpecker (protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) frequently clinging to the tree trunks in this area. The proposed development would impact on the root system and crown spread of the trees which would be detrimental to the local wildlife and ecosystem.

3 - There exists an historical covenant to ensure this area of land is used only for sport and this should remain as agreed.

4 - The proposed development will bring a huge area of hard surface which prevents water/rainfall soaking into the ground in an area already prone to flooding due to heavy rainfall, causing greater hazards and difficulties to residents.

5 - The development will inevitably bring an increase in traffic turning on to a road which is already heavily used especially at peak times often causing tailbacks heading into Solihull.

6 - In addition to the above point, the road is congested at school times, morning and afternoon, with families parking to walk to the Junior school. This means the road width becomes significantly reduced, presenting hazards and restricted right of way. Greater volume of traffic will increase these dangers leading to accidents.

7 - The junction at Streetsbrook Road/ Sharmans Cross Road/ Stonor Park Road & Dorchester Road has been the site of many road accidents. Greater volume of traffic will increase the likelihood of accidents occurring at this junction and roads adjoining. Recent accident - Tuesday 12th March - Sharmans Cross Road - approx. 6.30pm - between Woodside Way and Arden club exit.

8 - The safety of pedestrians will be jeopardised due to increased parking, moving vehicles, bus drop off & pick ups and no designated area to cross roads safely.

The local infrastructure cannot take more traffic, more sewage, more flooding, more danger hazards, any development.

see attached document

Local Development Plan Site 245
LDP - Proposed Housing Allocation Site 18

I write with reference to the above planning site for housing development in Solihull. I write to object to these plans on the following grounds:-

In 2013, SMBC formally agreed in its policy that the freehold of these grounds would not be sold and that they would only be used for sporting activities, in line with the covenants in place. I consider this policy suggests that the inclusion of this development in the LDP is wholly inappropriate.

I feel strongly that Oakmoor (Sharman's Cross) Ltd have deliberately neglected their responsibilities regarding this land and have made no efforts to use it for it's intended purpose as a sporting/community resource, even though their lease for the land clearly states it must only be used as a sports ground. I moved into Winterbourne Road some 25 years ago and certainly, with 4 young children, the local facilities available (including the rugby pitch) were very much part of my decision to move. My children have all been members of Solihull Arden Tennis Club and visited the rugby club regularly to watch matches. The sounds of cheers and roars from the grounds were always a pleasure to hear and I would welcome the return of fixtures on this ground. Oakmoor cannot be excused for the way it has treated this parcel of land. Changing room facilities were left to rot; a very much needed community resource in the way of a pre-school group was forced closed and again the building left to deteriorate.

I also consider that the above development is totally out of character with the surrounding houses on Winterbourne Road and Sharman's Cross Road. These are traditional houses and roads with reasonable density. The density of housing proposed on site above would be 4-5 times greater than its surroundings. Add onto this the additional cars the development would need to cater for, together with the possible loss of 75 car parking spaces at Arden Tennis Club, which are regularly used, parking in the vicinity will become a serious problem. Sharman's Cross Road is already a very busy road and further access from a housing estate can only add to this problem. Flooding along Sharman's Cross Road already causes regular problems in the area. Access from Sharman's Cross Road onto Streetsbrook Road or access onto the island at Danford Lane already causes huge traffic tailbacks at prime times throughout the day. Children attending local schools already battle with dense traffic on their journey to and from school, not to mention the additional school places /medical resources that will possibly be required.

As closure to this email, I strongly urge SMBC to remove site 245 from its LDP. I also think SMBC should be looking at ways to provide more affordable housing for first time buyers - this certainly would not be the case at the proposed site. Two of my children have had to leave the area in order to buy a property within their budget.

Local Development Plan Site 245
LDP - Proposed Housing Allocation Site 18

Dear Sir,
with reference to the above proposal, I submit my objections for your appraisal.

I believe, Sixty Seven to One Hundred, multi occupancy residences, crammed into a relatively small area, is inappropriate with this location and would destroy the demographic of this traditional, well established, desirable area.
I, as a local resident, (Winterbourne road) find it difficult to keep this objective as I bought into a future near a sports ground, not a housing development.
On a more objective note:
The drainage system is struggling to cope with currant demand and there is often flooding at the junction of Sharmans cross road and Streetsbrook road. Winterbourne road also suffers even with fairly moderate rainfall.
Local schools, particularly primary schools, are already oversubscribed, as are local Doctors, Dentists etc.

As 'Touchwood' has had a huge impact on local traffic, so has the continuous development of Blossomfield road. Replacing large family houses with multi occupancy accommodation, has brought chaos to a road system, which, with significantly more traffic, has remained unchanged.

This development would involve adding an access road next to Sharmans cross infant/junior school, adding extra danger to a road, already difficult to navigate, when parents collect their children from school.
Ultimately, I believe, a further development, would serve only in impacting negatively on an already oversubscribed area.
Finally, it is common knowledge, that there exists a covenant on this land, to furnish the need for a much needed sporting/recreational facility.
This has been ignored by the present owners 'Oakmoor' (Sharmans Cross)Ltd.
Indeed, the land has been deliberately neglected, and the changing rooms allowed to rot.
A pre school group, happy to rent the clubhouse for its purposes was forced to abandon the venture, leaving the building to deteriorate.
The site is now becoming an eyesore. A ploy, I am sure, intended to support Oakmoor's application.
I would urge SMBC to remove site 245 from its 'Land Development Program' and honour the agreement made in 2013. To retain the Freehold and force the owners to return the land to the purpose for which it was intended.

I am writing to re-iterate my concern over the proposal that this site in Sharmans Cross Road, which is designated for sporting use, and has the Council's commitment to keep it as such, has been identified as a development site for up to 100 residential dwellings. I last registered my concern in February 2017, and note that traffic congestion and road safety have become more significant issues in these last two years.
I note my reasons below in priority order:
1. Traffic congestion / road safety
This development will add serious congestion to a road system that is already under enormous pressure. Streetsbrook Road is already jammed by around 7.30am. The situation builds up, and from 8am - 9am traffic is regularly backed up to the junior school, meaning that to even reach Streeetsbrook Road takes at least 15 minutes. We, as residents, have to face the fact that any journey in the morning peak time will start with a 20-30 minute crawl in the car up to the Solihull town centre. I cannot therefore see how an extra 100+ cars turning right out of this site can even be considered.

2. Increased danger to pedestrians and cyclists

The pavement on Sharmans Cross Road (South side) is a designated pedestrian and cycle route, and is regularly used as such. All ingress/egress from this site will cross straight over this designated route. At present, a number of children attending Sharmans Cross School and Tudor Grange Academy walk unaccompanied to school; some also cycle on the pavements. I cannot see how this will remain a safe option for local school children as they will have to cross a busy junction to make this journey.

3. Out of character development

A development of this size is seriously out of keeping with the neighborhood. The area surrounding, and near to, this site is made up of detached and semi-detached properties, with ample gardens, spacious driveways, and many well established trees. There is reasonable space between properties to allow residents privacy in their own homes and gardens. A development of 60-100 houses increases the density of house 4-5 fold (comparing to neighbouring Winterbourne Road), and even more if compared to Welcombe Grove to the north side of the plot. Any high-storey buildings required to achieve this density risk encroaching on neighbours' privacy. Noise from the site will obviously increase significantly, to the detriment to existing residents.
The mention of affordable homes causes huge me concern, as I understand that this most likely means housing association use. This area of Solihull is one of the most prestigious parts of the town, and is where professionals have chosen to live. Housing association residents will permanently and adversely change the feel of the neighbourhood, and the experience for those living nearby.
4. Degradation in the appearance of the area.
This area of Solihull is highly valued for its environmental benefits, and contains many mature trees with Tree Preservation Orders. Development of houses will destroy this space which is enjoyed by many residents. It is also a known habitat for bats and badgers. We have indeed seen bats in this area and even had one fly into our house recently. Any development on this site will have terrible, and lasting, damage to the environmental pleasures of this area.
5. Increased surface water flooding
Sharmans Cross Road already becomes impassable in times of heavy rain, directly outside of our house. Water simply cannot drain away fast enough. I understand that loss of grass/field to paved surfaces exacerbates flooding of surface water, so I feel very concerned that this flooding situation will only get worse with any development on this playing field. Photographs of such flooding have been reported in the local Solihull papers in the past.

6. Permanent loss of sporting facility
At a time when obesity is gripping the nation, and people of all ages are being encouraged to partake in more sport for their physical and mental wellbeing, the loss of any sporting land seems incomprehensible. I understand that there are a number of sports clubs who want to make use of this land but are being prevented from doing so by unrealistic rents from the current owners (property developers). I understand, also, that SMBC formally minuted in 2013 its policy with regard to the use of the grounds only for sport, and that they would not sell the freehold on this land. I trust that there is no change on this. In any event, there is a covenant of this land for sporting use.

7. Conflict with National Planning Policy Framework
I have read the National Planning Policy Framework, with particular focus on the section 'Promoting Healthy Communities'. This potential development works in opposition to such framework, which stipulates the following guidance on use of green space:

I trust that my objection to this site as a possible development site will be read and understood. As a local resident, close to this area, I am more than happy to support any of the points that I have made.

I object to the plans on Sharmans Cross Road ( Local Development Plan Site 245).

My reasons are outlined below ;

1. We need to keep sporting facilities for the future of our children . We should be encouraging sports clubs to grow & develop not use land which is useable to be built on! There is a shortage of sports grounds already in Solihull. The council has a requirement to ensure lost pitches are replaced with facilities & as Solihull is below national tables - we need to save this land for that.
2. The land will ruin our neighbourhood- the density will be out of scale in appearance with existing development in the area. Leading to part 3.
3. Traffic ! Its horrendous already ! Sharmans Cross Road is already blocked at many times of the day but this site will cause serious congestion if not grid locked at peak times . Pedestrians are also at risk from the increased traffic .Cyclists are also at risk with a huge increase in cars.
Sharmans Cross junior school is already full & has expanded to 4 form entry - this will create a increased demand on schools which haven't got the spaces / budgets to meet current requirements .
4. Parking - as a member of the Solihull Arden Club for many years - parking is an issue - this site would result in the loss of up approximately 70 car spaces. It could also damage the future of the Tennis Club which has a heritage in itself.
5. According to SMBC - the policy stated that the land would be used for Sport & Sport only & the land wouldn't sell the freehold . Surely this proposed site then is inappropriate for inclusion in the LDP ? As this would be against that policy !

In conclusion - the land needs to be used for sport - for the future of the children & people of Solihull

see letter of objection to site 18

see letter and photos

As a resident of Heathcote Avenue I feel I should write in connection to the above proposed development on the site of the old rugby ground in Sharmans Cross road. I strongly object to the plans to build houses on this site as it is my belief that this land should only be used for sporting purposes, indeed, in 1965 a 125 year lease was set up by the council to ensure the land remains as playing fields. How can it be then, with 71 years of this lease still applicable that the council wish to
renege on this lease since they are the leaseholders.

It is therefore surprising to me that the council sold the leasehold land to a firm of developers Since they acquired the land the new owners have made it virtually impossible for the land to be used as it was intended;

i.e. sporting purposes, by proposing an astronomical rent

If the proposed development went ahead it would be a disaster for the people of Solihull who would have lost a precious sporting site. Furthermore, if such a large number of houses were built on this site it would be absolute chaos; traffic is already heavily congested in this area. During rush-hour Sharmans Cross road would be a no-go area. Apart from the traffic, the schools in this area are already over-subscribed, as are the doctors

I sincerely hope that common sense will prevail in this matter and that the council will not allow the land to be used for anything other than sporting purposes.

I wish to object to your proposal to include in your Local Development Plan, 67/100 houses on the Rugby Ground in Sharmans Cross Road. In fact, I wish to object to any housing development on this site for the following reasons.

The permanent loss of sporting facilities which I believe SMBC formally minuted in its policy in 2013 as ground to be used only for sport with the freehold retained by SMBC. Therefore, how can this be an appropriate site for a housing development?

A housing development would result in many mature trees being lost together with what is now a very safe environment for bats and badgers. Once this habitat has been destroyed, it can never be recovered.

I have grave misgivings concerning the increased traffic and safety on Sharmans Cross Road which is already a very busy one and has children, some unaccompanied walking to and from the local Sharmans Cross School.

The extra traffic would also pose an increased risk to cyclists.

Local schools and health centres are already oversubscribed and this proposed development will greatly add to already stretched facilities.

Sharmans Cross Road has problems with drainage and flooding when there is heavy rain and any housing development will only compound this problem.

The criteria for Sustainability are not met in that The National Policy Framework requires that developments have access to local amenities within 800m/10 minutes walk away. This site is 1000m from the train station and 1700m from Solihull town centre.

Bearing all these points in mind, I ask that the 2013 all party committee meeting which affirmed the policy that they would not sell the freehold of the site or lift the covenants regarding the site only being used for sport be upheld and that this plot of land is left, as intended for sports use only.

I am a long-time resident of Solihull, and I am writing to express my concern about the proposed development of the Old Rugby Club, Sharmans Cross Road, Site 18 the in the draft local plan supplement - Plan site 245. This proposal will have significant impact on the local community and completely destroy the character of the neighborhood
Sustainability - The National Planning Policy Framework requires developments to have access to local amenities within 800m/10 minutes' walk. The site is 1700m from Solihull town center and 1000m from the station, so this criterion is not met.
If everyone on this new development has cars this will just create chaos to the surrounding roads. Presently Sharmans Cross Road, Streetsbrook Road and Dorchester Road are gridlocked at various times in the day. All the side roads get used as a rat run and they are not capable of taking increased traffic. I walk my dog every day and am becoming increasingly concerned about the queues of standing traffic and pollution at peak times. Since the change of access to the station Dorchester Road now has taxis parked and there is a definite increase of people using this road to drop people off at the station. The parking is often dangerous to both pedestrians, many of them school children and cyclists. An increase of 200 plus cars will create a serious risk and hazard.
Design and appearance - This area of Solihull is highly valued for its environmental benefits and contains many mature trees with Tree Preservation Orders. Development of houses will destroy this space which is enjoyed by countless residents. Many residents use this space to walk dogs and you can often find school children playing football or just socialising. It is so important to have somewhere that is safe for local people to use. It is also a known habitat for bats and badgers and a variety of bird life.
Schools/Medical facilities - If this development gets the go ahead, I am also concerned on the demand will have on already over stretched facilities. All the local schools and medical centers are already over subscribed and this development will further increase demand leading to a degradation of services for residents.

I really hope you will consider all the concerns from myself and other the residents when deciding on this proposal.

I look forward to your response.

The agreed (all party) policy on the Rugby Ground, established in 2013 - which confirms and reaffirms that the the sports ground only covenant must be maintained and the freehold must not sold - MUST be retained.

The plans envisage the loss of the sports pitches, at a time when Solihull is short of pitches for our children to play on (which are important for children's physical wellbeing). The replacement of these sports pitches with such a high density of housing (and one which is much higher than the rest of the area) would, of neccessity in squeezing so many in, lead to buildings that would be quite out of keeping with the area, making this an unsuitable development.
Bringing so many additional houses and the residents who will live in them, will also bring a significant strain on the infrastructure and services in the area:
Sharmans Cross Road and the surrounding roads (notably Streetsbrook into which it feeds) are already congested in the morning when there are long queues which on Sharmans Cross often stretch from Woodside way up to Streetsbrook and on Streetsbrook back even as far as Woodlea road. An additional 60-100 homes would exacerbate this problem. Even if the new development is able to feed out onto Winterbourne Rd or Welcombe Grove, the traffic will quickly meet the queues on Blossomfield Road. Aside from the inconvenience these additional congestion problems will bring, both in these roads and the Solihull road arteries they feed into, such congestion and increased traffic volume brings pollution and road safety issues. Traffic from the development passing down Sharmans Cross away from Streetsbrook would increase volumes of traffic near Sharmans Cross School and this increases the danger to the young people being educated there when travelling to and from the school.
The schools around the area are already oversubscribed and the new houses will increase the pressure on these schools, and the GP surgeries in the area are similarly very busy. Significant new infrastructure would be needed for more development in the area.
The Sharmans Cross Area is important for wildlife and environment. The sports pitches are part of an area of open space with mature trees and complement the space behind the houses on the other side of the road and the parkland around Woodside Way and creates a large habitat for a very wide variety of small mammals and birds as well as different species of trees. The development of the land for housing would both reduce the amount of green space available to the local community (which is important for people's mental wellbeing as well as their physical wellbeing) and reduce air quality, as well as impact on the wildlife.

SMBC leased this ground to Oakmoor who in turn have made no effort to continue the use of the land as a sporting facility. The traffic in the area is already bumper to bumper at key commuter and school collection times, along with flooding issues. The development will be out of character with local housing. I feel strongly that this proposal should not go ahead and that both the council and Oakmoor should follow the original covenant for this area.

I am writing with regards to Local Development Plan Site 245.

I raise objections that the site would be no longer be used for, or be available for, sporting or associated purposes. This land is covered by existing legal covenants for sporting activities and an agreement that the freehold of the land would not be sold. Back in 2013 SMBC confirmed that they would not sell the freehold of the land OR lift the covenant on use only as a sporting facility. It is objectionable that SMBC now appear to be back-tracking on this agreement.

Sport is an important part of our local community and removal of sports facilities will be detrimental to Solihull.

Furthermore, any potential development is likely to be excessively dense and out of character with the local area. The development is not likely to include amenity provisions which means additional pressure on already stretched GP facilities and increasing pressure on school places in the local area - particularly on infant schools where there is none in the immediate vicinity.

I also object to the increased traffic that any development will bring. Sharmans Cross road is already heavy with traffic as evidenced by the queues each morning at the junction of Streetsbrook Road and this development would only exacerbate this. The access point into the proposed development land is also very narrow which will result in a dangerous junction onto Sharmans Cross road as evidenced by the RTC that occurred on the evening of the 12/03/19 at this very junction.

I re-iterate that I object to the reclassification of the development land for the reasons stated above.

1
4 Sharmans Cross Road
I am writing as a long-standing resident of the borough of Solihull to strongly object to the planning application for housing development on Site 245 - Sharmans Cross Road Old Rugby Club / Tennis Club Site. I have examined the plans and I know the site well. I wish to object strongly to the development of any future housing in this location.
Having been very strongly opposed to the previous application for development back in 2010, I am disappointed to note that a repeat application has been made to SMBC for conversion of the old Rugby sports ground into a housing scheme. I wish to state that my objection to this proposed scheme is as strong as ever.
The grounds have benefitted from use as sporting facilities over many years and any development in this area would constitute a great loss for any sports enthusiast currently using the grounds. This has been a natural green habitat for over one hundred years and any development would ruin a natural and unspoilt area.
This planning application seeks to shoehorn between 67 to 100 new houses in the very mature suburb of St. Alphege on a relatively small area of land. The development would be totally out of keeping with the neighbouring period properties and destroy the natural character of the area which is one of the many reasons I chose to become a resident of this neighbourhood many years ago.
I have listed a number of items below related to the proposed development that should be considered:
 These grounds have historically been extensively used for sports activities. Not only for this, it is also utilised by families to bring their children and for those with animals. SMBC has a statutory requirement to ensure loss of pitches are replaced with facilities of equivalent quality and accessibility. Sport England has found that Solihull is in the 3rd quartile nationally for over-16 participation in sport three times per week and continues to fall in the national league tables. If this land is replaced by a housing development, resulting in loss of the sports ground, then this statistic would surely decline rapidly over the years. Not a good advertisement for promoting sporting activity in the Solihull borough;
 The 2013 all party policy on the Rugby Club maintaining the 'sports only ground' covenant and NOT selling the freehold would be maintained at any cost. This policy should be re-affirmed that has strictly said that any such development is NOT appropriate for inclusion in the local development plan (LDP) and the ground should be removed from the LDP for new houses;
Big increase in traffic density on Sharmans Cross and surrounding roads, which is already severely congested in peak commuter and school times; this additional concentration of traffic and roadside parking will cause traffic problems and create a safety hazard for other motorists and especially children attending Sharmans Cross Junior School. Additional traffic will also cause more noise, pollution and dust at all times of the day and night;
 Additional development will affect the privacy of the surrounding dwellings - reduction of privacy and natural light levels especially where new houses overlook existing gardens, creating visual intrusion. The proposal suggests approximately 67 - 100 new dwellings. It provides for a mix of family sized town house and terraced dwellings, plus dwellings for smaller household units, including serviced apartments and potential underground car parking on the site. This type of mixed, large-scale development in a residential setting will change the very nature of this area. Solihull and especially the St. Alphege ward has some of the most beautiful, prestigious and sought-after property in the whole of the West Midlands that will never again be replicated, and this unique character should be maintained. Opportunities for crime and the general cleanliness of the surroundings will also be compromised;
 The site is flat, its boundaries contain mature vegetation and trees, much of it protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) along the western and southern site edges and Pow Grove LWS. A further line of protected trees runs north-south in the inner part of the site acting as separation between the Solihull Arden/ Lawn Tennis club and the disused rugby club pitches. Removal of mature and protected trees will contribute to local and global climate change. Removal of very mature tree roots will also affect ground conditions, i.e. increased risk of flooding;
 Sharmans Cross Road has a history of flooding and any development entailing changes to the existing utilities provision and highways amendments will only increase the problem of poor surface water drainage;
 Destruction of natural habitat for any local wildlife dwellings, including endangered and protected species of wildlife such as bats and badgers;
 The site will not be within walking distance to Solihull town centre or Solihull train station which breaches policy set by the National Planning & Policy Framework of having local amenities within an 800m distance;
 Schools and medical facilities are already over-subscribed, and it is near impossible to get children into their first preference of school or be able to obtain a GP appointment in the local area. Further development will lead to a degradation of service for the current residents or diminish completely;
 Development will do nothing to protect and enhance the amenities of existing residents and are contrary to policies P14 and P15 of the Solihull Local Plan that are supposed to

Pow Grove LWS and ancient woodland has been identified within the concept plans; however it is unclear what size the semi-natural buffer is that has been left between the woodland and developable areas. The Ecological Assessment has recommended that this buffer is a minimum of 30m to protect the woodland from harm.
We recommend that the concept plans are updated to be clear that the size of the buffer is 30m between the woodland and the development.

I am writing to object to the proposal for Sharmans Cross Road to be included as an allocated site.

I am concerned that development on this site would result in the loss of a valuable sporting facility. This land has been allowed to fall into disuse but remains a sought after sporting venue. Approaches have been made to Oakmoor to use the pitch but the costs involved have been prohibitive.

My understanding is that there is a covenant in place which preserves this land as a sporting facility. The Council gave an undertaking in 2013 to honour the covenant and not to sell the freehold. It is important that the Council continue to honour the covenant and preserve the rugby ground for sporting use only.

I also object to the development proposal on the grounds that it will have a serious impact on traffic congestion in the local area. There is already a problem on Streetsbrook Road and Sharmans Cross Road in the morning and evening rush hour and this will be further exacerbated by cars entering and leaving the development. Also, given the limited parking proposed for the development, there will be an impact on the neighbourhood from on road parking. This is already an issue around Sharman's Cross school.

A further objection would be to the density of housing in the proposed development in terms of the pressure on local facilities, traffic and parking. The local school is already over subscribed. In addition such a level of density is incompatible with the rest of the housing in the area.

The need for accessible sporting facilities is of paramount importance for the health and wellbeing for all of society but particularly for children and young people. The sports grounds on Sharman's Cross Road are in an ideal location to attract participating groups. Solihull Council has previously acknowledged the importance of this by ensuring suitable drainage and, in 2013, reiterating the need for the covenants attached to the site to be honoured. Loss of this facility will be detrimental to the youth of Solihull and signal a lack of importance attached to such community facilities.

See Letter

see attached letter

I strongly object to the above planning application on the following grounds

1. To build 67/100 houses on this piece of land would result in no end of problems - primarily caused by the sheer over density - the density would be 4-5 times at least that of the surrounding housing and would lead to the destruction of character and distinctiveness of the area. Inevitably there would be a massive shortfall in parking spaces on the proposed development and the widespread tarmacking that would take the place of the current grassland would no doubt lead to worsening flooding (as we are being constantly reminded) particularly as the current Victorian drains are already not coping. The shortage of parking on the proposed development would only worsen if Solihull Arden Club were to lose car parking spaces. There would inevitably be more chaos on Sharmans Cross Road, possibly causing overflowing cars to be parked on the road or indeed on the side roads off causing even more congestion. This would be particularly hazardous when Sharmans Cross School are starting and finishing - this area is always dangerously overburdened at peak times.

2. Sharmans Cross School is already having to make class sizes bigger and has undergone recent extension work to try and cope with the swelling pupil numbers in the locality and presumably this proposal takes no account of the additional children which*** need to be schooled from the new housing. Doubtless the same strain would apply to local medical centres which are already struggling. Local services would inevitably be diminished.

3. As already stated the development would be high density housing which is utterly devastating for the wildlife which live in this area and Solihull Council has just carried out significant Woodland Management Works in Pow Wood which borders the site in question - it had been hoped that the wildlife in these woods would thrive as a result of these extensive works (for which we have received funds from the European Development Fund). The housing development will only*** have a disastrous effect on the woodland wildlife which it is actively seeking to improve through its 'Solihull Habitat and Nature Improvements Project' !

4. This land has been carefully protected over the years for use of recreation/sporting activities, especially for the health and wellbeing of our local young people who have to travel much further afield to find rugby clubs, football clubs etc. Land earmarked for sporting facilities should be protected and used for such purposes - not high density housing. We owe this to our children and grandchildren.

Proposed Housing Allocation Site No 18

Dear Sirs

Sharman's Cross Road Rugby Ground

I wish to object most strongly at the above proposal to use the above sporting ground for a development other than for the use of sport.

The above ground was brought Solihull Council and sold to a rugby club on condition that it would only be used for sport.

The owners of the Rugby Club sold it to the present owners Oakmoor (Sharmans Cross) Ltd at Sports Ground valuation and with the undertaking that they would honour all covenants and obligations.

In 2013 Solihull council affirmed as policy, not to sell the freehold or lift the covenants and that the ground should only be used for sporting purposes.

The present owners have made no attempts to attract any one wishing to use the ground for sporting purposes, in fact it would appear they have positively discouraged it

I trust the Solihull Council will reaffirm their commitment that this sports ground will only and always be used for sporting purposes.

Reference: Local Development Plan Site 245.

The all-party policy committee meeting of 2013 agreed that the council will not sell the freehold of the Rugby Ground at Site 245 or t lift the covenants regarding the sites only to be used for sporting purposes and as ancillaries to sport.
The construction of a large number of houses will cause several negative issues for the current residents of the area, especially, but certainly not only, to residents of Sharmans Cross Road.

The new buildings will unlikely be in the character of the area and this will have a huge negative effect on the distinctiveness of the area. Maintaining the character of the area and also of Solihull in general is of great importance to the current residents. The pleasant character of Solihull town is one of the main reasons why people would want to live in this town.

It is very important to maintain the current density of the area. This proposed development will be 4 to 5 times the current density of the area. This will have a very significant effect on the quality of life in Solihull.

This development, if it goes ahead, will have a worsening effect on the already inadequate drainage facility in the area. The current drains in Sharmans Cross Road are Victorian in origin and are now proving to be inadequate for the purpose they were built.

Flooding in the area is becoming very common, especially after heavy rain. Climate change that we are experiencing in the current period is likely to make heavy rain more common in the near future and therefore, even if no more houses are built, flooding in the area will become a common occurrence.

Building this development will inevitably cause trees to be cut down. Most of the area has tree preservation orders and apart from this, reducing the population of trees in the area goes totally against the current need of increasing the number of trees for the benefit of the environment.

The traffic density on Sharmans Cross road has increased significantly in recent years and this development will cause more traffic jams and more important traffic pollution.

Parking is another issue that will be made more evident. There are significant parking issues during the week and this development will worsen this already poor situation.

The current school and medical capacities are already stretched in Solihull. This development will make these capacities even more stretched resulting in poor education and health care.

The facilities that are offered by the Tennis Club are few and far between in Solihull. This in addition of the fact that sports facilities in the Borough are not adequate for the current size of the town population.

Sports facilities are even more important today than they have ever been. Sports facilities are so essential for the well-being and health of all, but in particular for young people. The sedate life style of some younger people in particular should be discouraged, and sports activities are one of the best means to avoid this unhealthy way of life.

This development will reduce significantly the opportunities for an active life style for a lot of residents of Solihull.

The lack of sports facilities in Solihull are reflected in the poor position occupied by Solihull in the National league tables for participation in sports.

Site 245 must be maintained as a sport facility. There are clubs in the area that would be more that glad to use it if the rent is sensible. Also local schools can be encouraged to make use of the sports facilities offered by this site for their students. For the reasons above this should be encouraged by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Reference: Local Development Plan Site 245.
The all-party policy committee meeting of 2013 agreed that the council will not sell the freehold of the Rugby Ground at Site 245 or t lift the covenants regarding the sites only to be used for sporting purposes and as ancillaries to sport.
The construction of a large number of houses will cause several negative issues for the current residents of the area, especially, but certainly not only, to residents of Sharmans Cross Road.
The new buildings will unlikely be in the character of the area and this will have a huge negative effect on the distinctiveness of the area. Maintaining the character of the area and also of Solihull in general is of great importance to the current residents. The pleasant character of Solihull town is one of the main reasons why people would want to live in this town.
It is very important to maintain the current density of the area. This proposed development will be 4 to 5 times the current density of the area. This will have a very significant effect on the quality of life in Solihull.
This development, if it goes ahead, will have a worsening effect on the already inadequate drainage facility in the area. The current drains in Sharmans Cross Road are Victorian in origin and are now proving to be inadequate for the purpose they were built.
Flooding in the area is becoming very common, especially after heavy rain. Climate change that we are experiencing in the current period is likely to make heavy rain more common in the near future and therefore, even if no more houses are built, flooding in the area will become a common occurrence.
Building this development will inevitably cause trees to be cut down. Most of the area has tree preservation orders and apart from this, reducing the population of trees in the area goes totally against the current need of increasing the number of trees for the benefit of the environment.
The traffic density on Sharmans Cross road has increased significantly in recent years and this development will cause more traffic jams and more important traffic pollution.
Parking is another issue that will be made more evident. There are significant parking issues during the week and this development will worsen this already poor situation.
The current school and medical capacities are already stretched in Solihull. This development will make these capacities even more stretched resulting in poor education and health care.
The facilities that are offered by the Tennis Club are few and far between in Solihull. This in addition of the fact that sports facilities in the Borough are not adequate for the current size of the town population.
Sports facilities are even more important today than they have ever been. Sports facilities are so essential for the well being and health of all, but in particular for young people. The sedate life style of some younger people in particular should be discouraged, and sports activities are one of the best means to avoid this unhealthy way of life.
This development will reduce significantly the opportunities for an active life style for a lot of residents of Solihull.
The lack of sports facilities in Solihull are reflected in the poor position occupied by Solihull in the National league tables for participation in sports.
Site 245 must be maintained as a sport facility. There are clubs in the area that would be more that glad to use it if the rent is sensible. Also local schools can be encouraged to make use of the sports facilities offered by this site for their students. For the reasons above this should be encouraged by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Thanking you for considering this well-meaning correspondence

The proposed allocation is the former site of Birmingham and Solihull RUFC which previously contained two rugby pitches and associated changing rooms/clubhouse. The consultation document states that compensation for the loss of playing pitches will be required. Sport England agrees that mitigation would be required and this requirement should be incorporated with the policy that allocates the site. The appropriate mitigation provided should be reinvested in rugby union facilities across the Borough to help meet the deficits outlined in the Council's Playing Pitch Strategy.

It should be noted that the design of the site should not prejudice the use of the adjacent tennis club.

See Letter