BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 105929

Derbyniwyd: 28/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Amanda Knight

1. Flood risk
Hockley Heath has a surface water drainage issue. It is well established that the Stratford Road, A3400, running through the village regularly floods during heavy rainfall and would likely flood more often with further development.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure
There will be a need for a substantial infrastructure upgrade to accommodate such additional housing and this must be in place before the houses, not after. For example: sufficient Primary Schools places, GP and health facilities, transport links.
Also consideration will need to be given to adequate gas services, pavement upgrades, and frequent power cuts addressed.

3. Prevention of urban sprawl
All of the land proposed for building is within Green Belt, which should only be built on in exceptional circumstances. Additional development would fundamentally alter the character of Hockley Heath, undermining its distinctiveness and rural identity.

4. Loss of Green Belt
The impact on local wildlife and biodiversity would be significant. As would the effects on current residents, who have chosen to live and thrive in a countryside location, with loss of well-being being an obvious impact.

5. Against Solihull MBC
It has been acknowledged that although developments in Hockley Heath could fall within South Warwickshire, the burden of the new population would fall to Solihull, who have already opposed it and this could lead to disputes between the Councils over funding of services in the future.

6. A3400 traffic
Any developments will significantly increase the volume of traffic using the A3400, which already suffers with congestion and can become gridlocked whenever there are issues on the M40/M42.

7. Aylesbury Court.
Of particular concern is the land adjacent to Aylesbury Court which is currently free from pedestrian activity and therefore attracts regular wildlife habitats for foxes, deer, muntjacs, rabbits and smaller animals. Plus numerous varieties of birds, including owls and buzzards.
Excessive tree and hedgerow removal could affect drainage and soil stability.
A safe site access must be given careful consideration as fast traffic often causes near misses to slower turning traffic accessing Aylesbury Road.