Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

RESPONSE OF THE BURTON GREEN PARISH COUNCIL TO THE SOLIHULL DRAFT LOCAL PLAN SUPPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION 2019
As a neighbouring Parish Council, we are very sensitive to the changes taking place in Berkswell and Balsall Common. Consequently councillors responded to the Draft Local Plan of 2016. We showed our concerns for the loss of Green Belt and the incursions into the Meriden Gap but, above all, we were worried about the impact of traffic on Burton Green. The building of 220 houses at Windmill Lane had serious implications for traffic and road safety on Hob Lane whilst the 900 houses at Barratt's Farm put more pressure on the junction between Hodgetts Lane and Waste Lane.
The publication of the Draft Local Plan Supplementary Consultation has intensified our concerns about Hob Lane. As you well know Solihull Highways is responsible for Hob Lane even though some of the land and properties, including our Primary School, are within Warwick District and the Parish Council of Burton Green. It is a narrow, winding lane with dangerous bends. There have been serious accidents on the bends and the lane is not gritted. There is, perhaps, a case already for improvements to Hob Lane and certainly the early construction works at Red Lane by Cala Homes have highlighted the problems. Verges have been torn apart and School safety compromised by construction traffic.
The decision to create a by-pass from Catchems Corner, crossing Hob Lane and Waste Lane, before entering the Barratt's Farm development has serious implications for Hob Lane. It is almost inevitable that, in addition to some of the residents at Windmill Lane, many more will leave the by-pass at Hob Lane to approach the University and the Science Park through Burton Green. Councillors note that the by-pass will be "pursued in a timely manner" but how will Solihull Council address the issue of Hob Lane? Hopefully the Metropolitan Authority will show foresight, making sure that the proper infrastructure is in place before new houses are built but councillors do worry that the concerns of Burton Green will be a low priority against the demands of Solihull's own constituents.
The Parish Council recognises the difficulties Solihull faces in meeting its housing targets but we are disappointed that the development at Barrett's Farm is such a large development of 900 houses. However we are pleased that you have decided to phase this development later. Hopefully Solihull Councillors will show the same foresight with Hob Lane making sure that changes are made right at the beginning of the process. If not, of course, motorists will be put in danger.

RESPONSE OF THE BURTON GREEN PARISH COUNCIL TO THE SOLIHULL DRAFT LOCAL PLAN SUPPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION 2019
As a neighbouring Parish Council, we are very sensitive to the changes taking place in Berkswell and Balsall Common. Consequently councillors responded to the Draft Local Plan of 2016. We showed our concerns for the loss of Green Belt and the incursions into the Meriden Gap but, above all, we were worried about the impact of traffic on Burton Green. The building of 220 houses at Windmill Lane had serious implications for traffic and road safety on Hob Lane whilst the 900 houses at Barratt's Farm put more pressure on the junction between Hodgetts Lane and Waste Lane.
The publication of the Draft Local Plan Supplementary Consultation has intensified our concerns about Hob Lane. As you well know Solihull Highways is responsible for Hob Lane even though some of the land and properties, including our Primary School, are within Warwick District and the Parish Council of Burton Green. It is a narrow, winding lane with dangerous bends. There have been serious accidents on the bends and the lane is not gritted. There is, perhaps, a case already for improvements to Hob Lane and certainly the early construction works at Red Lane by Cala Homes have highlighted the problems. Verges have been torn apart and School safety compromised by construction traffic.
The decision to create a by-pass from Catchems Corner, crossing Hob Lane and Waste Lane, before entering the Barratt's Farm development has serious implications for Hob Lane. It is almost inevitable that, in addition to some of the residents at Windmill Lane, many more will leave the by-pass at Hob Lane to approach the University and the Science Park through Burton Green. Councillors note that the by-pass will be "pursued in a timely manner" but how will Solihull Council address the issue of Hob Lane? Hopefully the Metropolitan Authority will show foresight, making sure that the proper infrastructure is in place before new houses are built but councillors do worry that the concerns of Burton Green will be a low priority against the demands of Solihull's own constituents.
The Parish Council recognises the difficulties Solihull faces in meeting its housing targets but we are disappointed that the development at Barrett's Farm is such a large development of 900 houses. However we are pleased that you have decided to phase this development later. Hopefully Solihull Councillors will show the same foresight with Hob Lane making sure that changes are made right at the beginning of the process. If not, of course, motorists will be put in danger.