BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 106013

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Sean Palmer

As a resident with strong ties to the village, I am deeply concerned about the scale of this development, the flawed site selection process, and the lack of appropriate planning justification for SG24 as a strategic growth location.

The key areas of concern are outlined below:

1. Disproportionate and Unjustified Overdevelopment

The proposed scale of development at SG24 is wholly inappropriate for Hockley Heath. It represents excessive urbanisation that is inconsistent with the village existing character and local settlement hierarchy. The Solihull Local Plan, which has already undergone rigorous assessment, concluded that Hockley Heath is only suitable for small-scale growth. This fundamental conflict between the SWLP and the Solihull Local Plan demonstrates a failure to coordinate planning strategies effectively.

Furthermore, there has been no comprehensive assessment of alternative locations that may be better suited for development. The SWLP must adopt a more balanced approach that considers the cumulative impact of large-scale development and respects the strategic direction established by neighbouring authorities.

2. Failure to Justify Green Belt Release

SG24 relies entirely on the release of Green Belt land, yet no exceptional circumstances have been demonstrated, as required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The assessment of Green Belt harm has been inconsistently applied, and the claim that the canal provides a defensible boundary is fundamentally flawed, as multiple proposed sites extend beyond the canal.

Additionally, the SWLP fails to properly consider alternative development locations, including brownfield and underutilised sites, which could meet housing needs without sacrificing the Green Belt. The lack of a comprehensive review of these alternatives is a serious omission in the plan-making process.

3. Severe Environmental and Biodiversity Impacts

The development of SG24 would have a detrimental effect on local biodiversity and natural habitats. Hockley Heath and its surroundings support a rich ecological network, particularly along the canal corridor, which is a vital green infrastructure asset.

The SWLP does not adequately address its legal obligation under the NPPF to protect and enhance biodiversity. Key failures include:
The destruction of ecologically significant habitats without a credible mitigation strategy.
Reliance on outdated environmental assessments (the 2013 Green Infrastructure Strategy is no longer fit for purpose).
Increased air and noise pollution due to higher traffic volumes, which will degrade local air quality and harm wildlife.

4. Lack of Infrastructure Capacity and Funding

The SWLP does not provide a realistic infrastructure strategy to support the scale of development proposed at SG24. Hockley Heath already faces significant challenges in terms of transport, education, and healthcare provision, which would be exacerbated by this proposal.
Transport: The road network surrounding SG24 is unsuitable for large-scale development. Many roads, particularly to the west, are single-track with no pedestrian infrastructure, and several canal crossings are single-lane bridges. Road widening would require the acquisition of numerous private properties, making it unfeasible.
Education: Hockley Heath has a single, landlocked primary school that is already operating at capacity. The SWLP does not outline how new school places will be provided, nor how catchment areas will be managed.
Healthcare: Local healthcare services, including GP practices and hospitals, are already overstretched. The SWLP does not present a credible plan to ensure that additional healthcare provision is secured in advance of development.