Q21. Do you agree with the policies health and supporting communities? If not why not, and what alternatives would you suggest?

Showing comments and forms 91 to 96 of 96

No

Draft Local Plan Review

Representation ID: 5103

Received: 14/02/2017

Respondent: Nigel Canning

Representation Summary:

I request the council confirms it has;
1. completed all of the above assessments
2. that Sport England as the key partner has been fully consulted and what their decision was
3. If the council intends to go against Sport England's advice the application will be referred to the relevant Government Office
4. The council can explain why land it owns that has a covenant restricting its use to that of sports usage can be "purchased" by a property developer and not revert back to the council for allocation to the next sporting club that needs the land to deliver its clubs plans and development
5. that the council will not renege on its previous policy of not selling the freehold for sites where grounds are only for sport
6. that the council is committed to its statutory requirement that any lost pitches are replaced with facilities of equivalent quality and accessibility

Full text:

LDP - Proposed Housing Allocation 18

I am writing to record my objection to the inclusion of the site at Sharmans Cross Road being including in the LDP.

I am a member of the Solihull Arden Club and a local resident living on Dorchester Road.

According to Council document this land has a covenant that restricts its use to that for sports use only and it is therefore totally inappropriate to be considered for inclusion in any non-sports related development and therefore the LDP.

The following details have all been extracted directly from the SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH STRATEGY

Any non-sports related development is in direct conflict with the councils commitment to providing sports facilities to its citizens and will inhibit the delivery of the objectives of the councils health and well-being strategy. Providing alternative pitches elsewhere will incur travel which again is working against other council strategies.

SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH STRATEGY

Under the promoting healthy communities theme, it is set out that planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the needs for open space, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision. Specific needs and quantitative and qualitative deficiencies and surpluses in local areas should also be identified. This information should be used to inform what provision is required in an area

As a prerequisite the NPPF states existing open space, sports and recreation sites, including playing fields, should not be built on unless:
< An assessment has been undertaken, which has clearly shown the site to be surplus to requirements.
< The loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location.
< The development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss.

In order for planning policies to be "sound‟ local authorities are still required to carry out a robust assessment of need for open space, sport and recreation facilities. We advocate that the methodology to undertake such assessments should still be informed by best practice including Sport England‟s Towards a Level Playing Field (TALPF) and PPG17. Despite the latter being replaced by the NPPF it still offers relevant guidance on undertaking a needs assessment; which can be enhanced by our own expert understanding and knowledge in this area.

A Sporting Future for the Playing Fields of England
It is Sport England‟s policy to object to any planning application, which will result in the loss of a playing field, unless it meets one of five exceptions as defined in A Sporting Future for the Playing Fields of England. Protection of playing fields was further enhanced in 1998 with Circular 9/98 (replaced in 2009 by Circular 02/09) which stipulates that where a local authority is minded to grant planning permission against Sport England‟s advice on land owned by a local authority or used for educational purposes, then the application should be referred to the relevant Government Office for possible „call in‟.

As a statutory consultee for the loss of playing fields, Sport England is a key partner. Regional planning officers should be kept informed of developing projects/schemes and can provide essential guidance and advice throughout the process, not just at planning application stage.

It is likely that for some sports, particularly football, that the provision of new pitches and facilities will be required in the future to support the predicted future demand.

Sport Future development trend Strategy impact
Football The needs of the game will change significantly from the 2013/14 season with the implementation of the FA Youth Development Review. As a result, pitch demands in the Borough will change. This could also see changes in the seasonal demand of pitches (youth football). Consider re-allocating leases to Charter Standard clubs with a large number of teams.
Assist as appropriate, clubs to identify facility development opportunities.
Work with clubs in relation to their pitch demands as a result of the FA Youth Development Review.


Management objective (t) - Adopt a Community Asset Transfer Policy
The Council should adopt a policy, which supports community management and ownership of assets to local clubs, community groups and trusts. This presents sports clubs and national governing bodies with opportunities to take ownership of their own facilities; it may also provide non-asset owning sports clubs with their first chance to take on a building.

Site KKP ref Management Issue to be resolved Recommended actions Tier Priority
Sharman‟s Cross Road 55 Solihull Borough Council Site provides one senior rugby union pitch which is not currently available for community use (although there is space on site to accommodate two senior rugby union pitches), sports pavilion (comprising four changing rooms) and car parking. The pitch should be brought back into community use to help address the current and future shortfall of rugby union pitches in Solihull.
Alternatively, any mitigation for the loss of playing field should seek to fund improvements to sites with rugby provision in the Central Area to help increase playing capacity and thus help to address the current and future shortfall of rugby union pitches.



Sharman's Cross Road, Solihull
The site was used by the senior teams of Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Club (prior to the club going into liquidation) and comprises one senior rugby pitch (although there is space on site to accommodate two), brick built pavilion (comprising four changing rooms) and car parking. The pitch is owned by Solihull Borough Council and the access road and car parking at the site was owned by the Club but sold to a housing developer in 2009/2010. The housing developer has submitted a planning application to build a retirement village on the site.
At present, there is no community use of the site. However, there has been demand expressed locally for usage of the site. It is understood there is a covenant on the land for sporting use.


I request the council confirms it has;
1. completed all of the above assessments
2. that Sport England as the key partner has been fully consulted and what their decision was
3. If the council intends to go against Sport England's advice the application will be referred to the relevant Government Office
4. The council can explain why land it owns that has a covenant restricting its use to that of sports usage can be "purchased" by a property developer and not revert back to the council for allocation to the next sporting club that needs the land to deliver its clubs plans and development
5. that the council will not renege on its previous policy of not selling the freehold for sites where grounds are only for sport
6. that the council is committed to its statutory requirement that any lost pitches are replaced with facilities of equivalent quality and accessibility

I am aware that over the last few years a number of sports clubs have enquired on the availability of the ground for their use to deliver sports to the community but the developer has either refused to engage in any dialog or suggested astronomical lease costs

I represent Solihull FC which is based at the Silhillians Sports Club in Solihull where we have 26 youth football teams but next season will exceed the capacity of the site and need additional pitch capacity to facilitate the growth of the club. We are a charter standard club and expect to need a home for 6 - 8 teams that cannot be accommodated at our current location. These teams will include open age adult football which we don't currently have but have been asked to concentrate on this offering by Birmingham FA when we submitted our 5 year football development plans and I expect we can work with the FA to gain financial support for the site development.

I have the backing and support of the existing local residents that fully support the site remains available for sports use

I also wish to register my concern for the other 4 sports grounds that are included in the proposal and are at risk from the LDP

No

Draft Local Plan Review

Representation ID: 5261

Received: 15/02/2017

Respondent: Andrew King

Representation Summary:

Concerned at lack of reference to leisure/sporting infrastructure, and loss of pitches, inability to accommodate local teams, for example the junior cricket club and lack of leisure space in Balsall Common. Could be addressed by developing the football club/Lavender Hall Park into a multi-sports facility for hockey, football, rugby to provide for all age groups in Balsall Common/Berkswell.

Full text:

Understand I have until midnight on 17th February to respond. Please note I have tried to access the on-line questionnaire but it does not seem to be there.

In the plan there seems to be no mention of "leisure/sporting" infrastructure. As result of development we are for example losing the park at Meeting House Lane and the playing fields at Holly Lane .... this will mean that the village football club will have lost green space which had 4 pitches located on them. In terms of my thoughts we either have to find alternative green space or we make the existing facilities more resilient, i.e. improve/change the playing surfaces at the football club, lavender hall park etc.... so that they accommodate training and 3 or 4 games a weekend and be multi sport. Another thought is how we could develop Lavendar Hall Park into a multi sports facility, hockey, football, rugby ...... The village is already running out of leisure space .... an example of this is the cricket club can no longer accommodate junior and senior cricket at the Cricket Club and is now working with the football club to create a cricket square at the football club to accommodate junior cricket.

So in summary please, please seriously consider how we provide the young and old of Balsall and Berkswell with access to the "leisure/sporting" infrastructure during the day, the evenings and the weekend without having to travel to get that opportunity.

No

Draft Local Plan Review

Representation ID: 5321

Received: 17/02/2017

Respondent: Jaguar Land Rover

Agent: Mr Neil Tiley

Representation Summary:

Policy P20 relates to the provision of open space, children's play, sport, recreation and leisure. It requires that all commercial developments of over 1ha or 1,000m2 provide open space. However, such provision may not be appropriate or viable on all commercial schemes. As a result, it is required that appropriate caveats are applied to Policy P20 such that open space provision is only required where this is both viable and appropriate.

Full text:

see JLR letter via agent

No

Draft Local Plan Review

Representation ID: 6251

Received: 17/02/2017

Respondent: Packington Estate Enterprises Ltd

Representation Summary:

Policy P20 -
Waterways:
Propose change of wording to '...providing that the development safeguards the historic and natural environment, the needs of agriculture and...'
The needs of agriculture, such as running of cattle across areas of grassland adjacent to rivers and waterways could potentially conflict with proposals for greater recreational and leisure use on the river and canal network.

Full text:

see attached letter

No

Draft Local Plan Review

Representation ID: 6329

Received: 17/02/2017

Respondent: Mrs Jennie Lunt

Representation Summary:

Would like more reference to the canal infrastructure with feedback from Canals & Rivers Trust.

Full text:

I largely support the plan's policies for protecting the environment but am disappointed there is so little mention of Hockley Heath within the need to protect the natural environment. I would like more reference to the canal infrastructure with feedback from Canals &amp; Rivers Trust and historic reference to historic place of &quot;Oakley Heath&quot;.
I would also welcome more alternative transport links such as cycle lanes to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
I would also point out the issue of poor drainage and flooding on Hockley Heath's roads, particularly evident on Stratford Road, and in gardens on School Road.

No

Draft Local Plan Review

Representation ID: 6404

Received: 05/02/2017

Respondent: Mr Thomas Monksfield

Representation Summary:

There are around 9 football and rugby grounds that will disappear around Shirley South.

Full text:

41% of the Solihull housing allocation is being built in Shirley South the real need for housing is along the HS2 route.

The infrastructure to get across the borough and to the centre of Birmingham will not support the increased demand for the expected new residents as a result of HS2.

The allocation of 2000 houses from Birmingham should not be built in Solihull until Birmingham has developed all of its brownfield sites.

There are around 9 football and rugby grounds that will disappear around Shirley South.

The council should be thinking about innovative ways to look at finding space, such as multi storey are parks at the nec and using the saved space for housing.

There is only one amenity area in Shirley, Shirley Park, This has already been developed.