BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 106099

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Ruth Polson

1. Surface Water Drainage Issues
o NPPF Paragraph 170 requires developments to avoid areas at highest risk of flooding and ensure they do not exacerbate surface water issues. Current
drainage problems in Hockley Heath highlight the unsuitability of large-scale development without substantial infrastructure improvements.

2. Lack of Secondary School Provision
NPPF Paragraph 20 emphasises the need for adequate education infrastructure to support development. Hockley Heath lacks a secondary school, and neighbouring schools are already at capacity, making it unsustainable to meet the educational needs of an additional 2,000 households.

3. Poor Public Transport Links
o NPPF Paragraph 109 encourages development in areas with sustainable transport links. Hockley Heath is not close to a train station and has limited public transport, increasing reliance on cars and contravening the aim to
promote sustainable travel.

4. Character of the Village

o NPPF Paragraph 135 highlights that developments should reflect local character and enhance the area. A large-scale development would fundamentally alter the character of Hockley Heath, a small village, undermining
its distinctiveness and rural identity.

5. Maintaining a Green Buffer
o NPPF Paragraph 143 mentions the importance of strategic policies that help manage patterns of development while safeguarding green spaces. Keeping a
green buffer between Dorridge and Hockley Heath prevents urban sprawl and protects the individual identities of these settlements.

6. Contradiction with SMBC’s Local Plan
o Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) determined that only small-scale development is appropriate for Hockley Heath. Overriding this decision undermines local planning authority evidence and contradicts NPPF Paragraph 15, which encourages plans to be shaped by local needs.

7. Traffic Congestion and Road Safety
o NPPF Paragraph 110 states that developments should ensure safe and suitable access for all users. A development of this size will significantly increase traffic
on the A3400 and surrounding roads, worsening congestion and raising safety concerns in a village already experiencing issues with speeding and heavy vehicles.

8. Biodiversity and Environmental Impact
o NPPF Paragraph 8 requires developments to minimise impacts on biodiversity and provide net gains where possible. The proposed site risks harming wildlife
habitats in and around the village, failing to meet this requirement.

9. Lack of Economic Justification
o NPPF Paragraph 86 supports development that contributes to local economic growth. Hockley Heath is not a major employment centre, meaning most new
residents would commute, adding strain to transport infrastructure and working against sustainable development goals.

10. Community Opposition and Consultation
NPPF Paragraph 16 advocates for effective consultation and local community involvement. Highlighting the strong local opposition to the proposals could influence decision-makers, especially at this consultation stage.

11. Inappropriate Scale of Development
• NPPF Paragraph 20 states that strategic policies should set out an appropriate scale, pattern, and form of development. Building over 2,000 homes in Hockley Heath, a small village, is disproportionate to its current size and infrastructure, putting undue strain on
local services and facilities.

12. Limited Local Amenities
• Hockley Heath currently has very few local amenities, such as shops, healthcare facilities, or leisure services, to support a significant population increase. NPPF
Paragraph 98 stresses the importance of ensuring communities have access to facilities to promote health and well-being.

13. Lack of Sustainable Employment Opportunities
• The village does not have enough local employment opportunities to sustain a large residential development. NPPF Paragraph 86 encourages developments in rural areas to support sustainable economic growth, which is not evident in the SG24 proposal.

14. Landscape Sensitivity
• Hockley Heath lies within a semi-rural area with a high-quality landscape that contributes to its character. NPPF Paragraph 187 gives special consideration to
landscapes that play an important role in defining the identity of an area, even outside designated protected zones.

15. Heritage and Conservation
• The area around Hockley Heath has historic buildings and conservation areas that could be impacted by large-scale development. NPPF Paragraph 202 requires the
consideration of heritage assets and their setting, ensuring they are preserved for future