09 Knowle - South of Knowle

Draft local plan (Knowle & Dorridge)

As a residents of Solihull in the ward of Dorridge and Hockley Heath we would like to confirm our support for the KDBH Forum's response to the draft local plan. We have recently moved from B91 in Solihull as we consider Solihull has now become part of Birmingham and we wanted to live in a village. If this plan goes ahead in its current form Knowle will no longer be a village and its character and identity lost, in effect it will be part of the Solihull/ Birmingham conurbation. Furthermore the roads around Knowle and Dorridge cannot support the proposed housing density however much they are improved. Knowle High street will be a constant pinch point as there is no obvious by pass route.

My wife and I strongly object to your proposals for housing development in Knowle and support the contents and sentiments of the attached document prepared by KDBH Neigbourhood Forum

Kdbh response

I wish to support the proposals made by the KDBH Neighbour Forum . Houses built on the proposed site of Arden School will completely gridlock the already traffic problems in Knowle .y

SOLIHULL DRAFT LOCAL PLAN REVIEW.

Solihull Council has identified two sites in Knowle for development in the future.
If these sites are developed they will provide over 1000 new homes, a new school and a sports complex, focusing on moving Knowle Football Club to a new location and creating better facilities.

These new homes will massively increase the size of the village.

I object to the loss of so much Green Belt.

The so called Arden Triangle site will comprise of 750 houses and a new school, all to be built on existing Green Belt.

The Hampton Road site will comprise initially of 250 homes, followed by a sports complex. On completion of the new football facilities the old Knowle football ground will provide land for further housing. The Hampton Road site will all be on Green Belt. This site will push the Green Belt boundary out considerably towards Hampton-in-Arden.

The Department for Communities and Local Government have insisted that Ministers were "committed to preserving the Green Belt". This Department has further stated that "only in exceptional circumstances may Councils alter Green Belt boundaries, after consulting local people and submitting the revised local plan for examination".

Ministers have further stated that the Government is committed to "strong protection of the Green Belt".

Green Belt land should be treated as a special case because that is what protects us from the urban sprawl. It also exists to prevent neighbouring villages merging into one another, to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns and to assist in urban regeneration by encouraging the regeneration of derelict and other urban land.

Reluctantly I would have to agree that providing a new Arden School could be argued as being exceptional providing that the old facility is not fit for purpose as the school maintains. I would like to see the evidence for this. Many millions of pounds have been spent on improving and expanding Arden School in recent years only to be demolished.

The development of this site will take many years to complete causing a great deal of disruption to village life.

Should this site be developed then the housing build should be maximised. Land identified for "housing in the future" should be developed at the same time. All the housing needed could be built within this triangle. The homes within this site are within walking distance of the shops and railway station in Dorridge and Knowle village centre. The Hampton Road development is not.

There is no need to push the boundaries of the Green belt out in two directions.

The closest station to the Hampton Road site is Hampton-in Arden. It is not possible to walk to this station safely as there are no pavements or lighting. The parking facilities are at capacity, as indeed they are at Dorridge and Widney Manor stations. It is a two mile walk/drive to Dorridge station from where I live in Chantry Heath Crescent.

Should the Arden Triangle be developed then it is infilling a triangle of land.

The relatively small development at Arden Fields took over two years to complete causing traffic chaos, noise and mess, primarily mud on the surrounding roads. The end result is not attractive.

The Hampton Road development focuses around the relocation of Knowle FC to the north east of the site to cater for "local demand". I assume local demand to mean Knowle FC and its members, 291 in total.

The results of the Knowle Forum's residents survey indicated there was more interest in the provision of more allotments than in improving football facilities. Until recently there was a five year waiting list for an allotment in Knowle.

Knowle FC has been in existence for 90 years and in that time it has been unable to maintain and improve on its facilities.
I have lived in Knowle for 36 years and I have not seen any improvement to either the pitches or the club facilities.

Knowle FC have obtained permission to install floodlights at their existing ground. They complained for many years that the lack of floodlighting prevent them playing in various leagues. They have not installed floodlights because they cannot afford to.

The club is not financially sound.

In the proposal document for Knowle FC it is stated that it runs approximately 20 football teams, the majority of which are 5 and 7 aside teams of juniors, both boys and girls.

There are many facilities and areas in and around Knowle where football can be played and training undertaken, both indoor and outdoor. Examples are Arden School, the Old Silhills, the Children's Field in Kixley Lane, Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath parks.

Every year Knowle FC put signs at the entrance seeking new junior players. Why do this if they cannot provide adequate facilities?

My three daughters all played for Knowle FC. My two youngest daughters' team was made up primarily of girls from Yardley who were obviously prepared to travel and not local children..

The proposed facility would be for the benefit of a minority of people who are interested in football. Other sports facilities alluded to may never materialise.

The precise composition of the new facility is vague to say the least. Some of the rumours indicate a new cricket pitch is also possible. Does this mean that the cricket pitch behind Knowle FC will also be developed?

This new sports facility would adjoin the canal, which is a haven for wildlife. It is a peaceful place enjoyed by a significant number of local people including fishermen, dog walkers, people just out for a quiet stroll, canoeists and canal boat users.

This quiet haven will be destroyed by the noise and foul four letter language frequently generated by the adult football matches on a Saturday and Sunday. Sound travels a considerable distance and with clarity.

The area that the houses will be built on is also a haven for wildlife including bats, badgers, foxes, deer and birds of prey including buzzards, sparrow hawks and kestrels. Are we certain there are no newts, crested or otherwise in the pond on the site?

The developer has stated that it will "retain and where possible enhance connecting wildlife corridors". It would be interesting to see how they could achieve this in amongst all the houses, football pitches, flood lighting and any other sports facilities that may be built.

The developer also intends to retain views to and from the Grand Union canal. I cannot see how this can be achieved, unless of course you stand on top of a flood light gantry.

The developer makes many unrealistic promises for the benefit of the wider community. This includes "with the support of Sports England the sports hub could become a community meeting place" We have an abundance of meeting places in the centres of Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath and do not need another one on the north eastern edge of the village. All these meeting places are well used by the community.

There are excellent athletics facilities in Solihull, which do not need to be rivalled.

This site has been rejected in the past because of the topography and the impact on the skyline. As far as I can see, nothing has changed.

I write in support of the proposed development on the current Arden Academy sight. I do not have enough expertise to clarify how many homes should be built there but it would be an ideal location.

As a parent with two children at the school currently and two others to join in the coming years I would be delighted to see the re-development of the school. It is crying out for it. I would challenge anyone not to agree when they look closely!!!

These pupils are hopefully the future residents of KDBH and as it stands there are not enough homes to meet current demands let alone in their future. We as parents need to voice our support for them. Arden Academy should be the focus and main attraction for families in the area and it probably will not be if the plans do not go ahead. The school currently collaborates with the local primary schools so well and it would be wonderful for them to enjoy and appreciate up to date state of the art facilities.

I appreciate the concerns of the forum members but in my opinion the site is the perfect option as it already 'developed' meaning minimum aesthetic disturbance.

Response to the Solihull Draft Local Plan Consultation

Dear Sirs

I wish to endorse the views of the KDBH Neighbourhood Forum Response to the Solihull Draft Local Plan.

Jane Watts

see letter

I refer to the draft SDLP and especially as it relates to the Knowle area. I have been a Knowle resident for 58 years.

Practically all of the land proposed by the plan for residential development and it is likely to be high density development currently has , so I understand, green belt status. I refer to the Warwick Road/Station Road/Grove Road triangle and the football/cricket grounds in Hampton Road. These areas are with the exception of the park, the remaining green areas in the village.

If these areas suffer high density development Knowle will have become a satellite dormitory town to Solihull and no longer the village that residents find so attractive. Traffic problems could become considerable. A recent statement by the relevant government minister confirmed that incursions into the green belt would not be acceptable other than in exceptional circumstances. We have not, I believe, reached this situation. It has been widely reported that planning approval already exists for700,000 housing units countrywide. The house builders should be compelled to utilise these approvals in full and meaningfully within 18 months of the granting of permission on pain of annulment of the approval.

The suggested proposal from Arden academy that the school should be demolished (and the school relocated) to provide land for more housing is preposterous at a time of enforced austerity given that there has been very substantial investment in the school in recent years. This investment must run into many millions of pounds of tax payers money (our money). If there is a problem with numbers the school catchment area should be restricted to the Knowle and Dorridge wards. A local school for local children.

The draft plan has taken the easy option with scant regard for the existing residents of Knowle.

Arden 2020
With regard to the proposed Arden 2020 Project, I would like to make the following observation: whilst Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath have growing populations and hence there is, and will be, the need for additional school places, the focus of this proposal should be exclusively on the pupils and driving up standards of education in these areas of Solihull. Therefore, would it not be more appropriate to leave Arden Academy where it is and meet the demand for secondary school places by building another school on proposed site? This way, we would see competition for pupil numbers between the schools which would serve only to drive up standards as parents and pupils would effectively vote with their feet. I do not see how the proposed "super-school" would improve the education of our children; if anything, it would encourage lower standards through complacency.

I look forward to receiving your reply on this matter.

Best regards

Here is my response to the draft local plan. This focuses on the excessive amount of new housing development proposed for Knowle.

Total number of houses
The 1,050 houses proposed for Knowle is vastly excessive and totally out of scale with other locations. It is effectively a 20% increase in the size of the village (based on the existing number of households). I don't understand why there are no allocations proposed for Dorridge or Bentley Heath. Dorridge would be a much sensible solution for sustainable development with the rail connection.

The total number of houses is totally out of scale with the size of Knowle and will significantly exacerbate already very serious traffic congestion along the High Street and Station Road (not just new residents but deliveries, visitors etc). It will have a seriously detrimental impact on the village character turning it into a medium sized town.

The scale of housing development in Knowle is not justified by the evidence base, some of which is flawed in any case.

The Arden Triangle
I would like to strongly object to the number of houses proposed on the Arden Triangle. The scale of 750 houses is not justified by the Council's evidence base with the findings of the LCA that this area was only suitable for small scale developments. Such a large site will cause significant loss of some of the most attractive and valuable Arden landscape around Knowle and Dorridge. I don't think this area was appropriately assessed in the Green Belt Assessment. It is a very valuable and loved rural part of the village and provides a prominent and attractive landscape when approached from the south. Any development on this land near the Warwick Road would be highly visible and have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity when approaching Knowle. The area also includes important wildlife habitats.

Development on this site in any scale is not sustainable and would exacerbate already unacceptable congestion along the High Street and Station Road.

A dispersed pattern of development involving sites in Dorridge and Bentley Heath would be more appropriate for the area.

Whilst I accept there has to be a certain amount of development in the area a dispersed solution would be far more preferable and have less impact on the character of the area, less impact on road congestion and result in less impact on the Green Belt and Countryside.

Affordable housing
The 50% affordable housing is pointless as being within such an affluent area they will never actually be genuinely affordable. Furthermore by insisting on such a high percentage of affordable housing it makes achieving the community benefits much less likely as developers will have to factor this in their appraisals. It would be better to have much less affordable housing to make the benefits stack up. Furthermore developers will not be able to provide the required type of housing under the starter home scheme.


In summary the total number of houses proposed is far too many for the size of Knowle. Development should be dispersed to minimise impact on the community and congestion involving more sustainable development in Dorridge and Bentley Heath. The Arden Triangle proposal would have a seriously detrimental impact on very valuable green belt and the character of the village.

Regards

see letter attached

Housing Knowle Dorridge and Bently Heath

The number of houses to be built is far beyond a proportion that the villages can accept.

This cannot be allowed to happen.

While I sympathise with Solihull MBC at having to plan for 6500 new homes, I must express my fervent opposition to siting 1050 of them in Knowle. Apart from all other considerations, Knowle is full!

Parking in Knowle is extremely difficult at the best of times, without any additional houses. There simply is no room to accommodate more people using Knowle village centre. Even Waitrose gave up trying!

There are very few employment possibilities in Knowle, so any new residents would have to travel away from the village to work. The parking at Dorridge station is already full, which means that most journeys would have to be by car - this goes against the accepted wisdom of encouraging use of public transport.

Those living in houses on the Arden Triangle would mainly be travelling in the direction of the M42, Solihull and Birmingham. All these cars would need to drive along Knowle High Street which is already extremely congested at rush hours and very busy throughout the rest of the day. Add to this the cars coming from the proposed Hampton Lane development, and the Warwick Road towards the motorway would grind to a halt.

It would make so much more sense to build the houses where the jobs are going to be created - e.g. HS2, Birmingham Business Park, Jaguar Land Rover, Blythe Valley Business Park etc. These are going to be the booming areas of the borough and the people working there are going to need homes, so it would be logical to build them in those localities.

Urbs in Rure. The approach to Knowle from the Warwick direction is delightful - one goes from countryside, through a handful of houses and arrives in the village centre. Development of the Arden Triangle would be seen as soon as one approached the proposed traffic island at Rotten Row corner. An absolute blot on the landscape. Please leave the Green Belt alone - it is there for a reason.

As I understand It, the idea of developing of the Arden Triangle came about because of the wish of Arden Academy for new premises. The principal has given assurance that there will be sufficient places at the new school for all pupils of secondary age moving to these new houses in Knowle. But what about primary school places? I am led to believe that the new RC primary school proposed for the Arden campus will replace the existing St George & St Theresa's school, so there is no provision in the plan for extra primary school places. An impossible situation!

A small, but I believe relevant, point: Part of the proposed new site for the academy cannot be accessed without crossing land which is in private ownership. Without access to this area, the site would be unreasonably small for such a large school. Unless, or until, access to this area can be established, the whole plan is unfeasible.

Knowle is a village which has grown considerably since the war. Newcomers have been absorbed into the community as it has expanded. However, saturation point has been reached and I beseech the council to recognise that.

Housing development in Knowle & moving of Arden school

I am emailing to air my views as a local resident on the proposals to build new houses in Knowle and to re- site Arden school.

My husband and I are extremely opposed to the plans which involve site 9 being developed for housing.

We enjoy living in a semi rural environment and believe the extra housing would destroy the local community and drastically change the area in a very negative way.

We have young children at local schools and are very pleased with Arden school and do not see any need for this to be redeveloped or moved from its current position!

I do hope that you will take into consideration the views of residents.

If new housing is required perhaps alternative sites for this could be considered -for example Dickens Heath which would be a more appropriate area to site modern homes as they would be more in keeping with the area.

Please find attached Greenlight Developments' representations to the Draft Solihull Local Plan consultation process, in-relation to: Site 9 'South of Knowle (between Station Road, Warwick Road and Grove Road)'.

Arden academy questionnaire

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review we would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my children at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed as a matter of highest priority.

To whom it may concern

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I/we would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my child/children at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review we would like to highlight the need for an increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my children at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand, St George & St Teresa has been ignored!! We have been forced to turn away children in the parish and with siblings in our school which causes huge problems for families that are split up as a result and unnecessary stress for children involved.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

I trust that you will recognise the need to expand the current offering at St George & St Teresa.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review we would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my child Keeley-May O'Sullivan at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools

in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I would like to highlight the

need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my children at St George & St Teresa RC School

and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools

in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath

and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.
This directly impacts on the education of my children at St George & St Teresa RC School and I request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.
During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.
The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I/we would like to highlight the
need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my child/children at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have
been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed

Please take note of these comments.

To whom it may concern,

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I would like to highlight the
need for an increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my children at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand the same has not been offered to St George & St Teresa RC School. We have been forced to exclude children in our parish and with siblings in our school; in particular my own child who does not have a place at St George and St Teresa's meaning she has to attend a different school to her siblings. This is personally damaging to us as a family as we are often forced to chose which school productions and assemblies to attend, prioritising one child over another. This has been heartbreaking and immensely difficult for us, something I wouldn't relish or wish other families now and in the future to have to put up with due to insufficient school places.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates
a need which should be addressed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9. This directly impacts on the education of my child Lucas year 1 at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review we would like to highlight the

need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my child/children at St George & St Teresa RC School

and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools

in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have

been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath

and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates

a need which should be addresse

We currently have 3 children at St George & Teresa.

Draft local planning review - catholic primary education requirement
In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my child at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

I endorse the Knowle, Dorridge & Bentley Heath Forum's response on the Solihull's Draft Local Plan.

I believe that the proposed housing numbers for Knowle are excessive and disproportionate in the context of the overall plan and they could not be supported by the villages current infrastructure, in particular the road network.

Yours faithfully

Dear solihull council,

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I would like to highlight the need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on my child at St George & St Teresa RC School and i request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. The school have been forced to exclude children in parish. My son, despite being in catchment was initially excluded from G&T.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates a need which should be addressed.

I would also like to note my concern at the potential removal of bus services to G&T. By doing this, the council are discriminating against my son's right to have a faith based education

I am writing to voice my concern about how the new development proposals will effect school provision in the Knowle and Dorridge area.

In response to the Draft Local Plan Review I/we would like to highlight the
need for increase in primary education proposed in Items 4, 8 and 9.

This directly impacts on the education of my children at St George & St Teresa RC School and we request to be considered in the planning of this provision going forward.

During recent years local development has been substantial and whilst Local Authority Schools in the area have been increased to meet demand St George & St Teresa has not. We have been forced to exclude children in parish and with siblings in our school.

The size of our catchment area to include new developments at Balsall Common, Hockley Heath and additional potential impact from Blythe Valley, as well as Knowle & Dorridge demonstrates
a need which should be addressed.

If large housing schemes are to be approved it is vital that schools and all amenities are improved to meet need.

In addition the road through Knowle high street is already struggling to cope with the current traffi,c a plan needs to be designed to cope with access to the new proposal.

To be clear I agree some development is needed to cope with the country wide shortfall but it is essential amenities upgraded to meet the needs of the growing community.