BASE HEADER

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ID sylw: 106358

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mervyn Fletcher

I, am writing to express my opposition to the inclusion of SG24 within the SWLP.
I am a Hockley Heath resident , living here in the 1980/90s and returning 15 years ago.
I am extremely concerned at the reckless scale of the proposed development and what I believe is a flawed justification for SG24 as a strategic growth location.
The proposal directly impacts on me, my family and the character of the village. I believe that there are other sites which should have been reviewed and selected I outline below some of my concerns, although these are not exhaustive.

Unjustified Overdevelopment.
The scale of the proposal is excessive and totally disproportionate, given the size of the current village . It gives no consideration to Solihull Local Plan. It would erode the local community, its identity, undermine local cohesion and completely destroy the very attributes that make Hockley Heath such an attractive place to live.
SG24 proposals are isolated large scale urban estates totally out of keeping with the character of the village.

Irreversible Destruction of Green Belt
Green Belt was designed to prevent urban sprawl and to preserve open countryside. The proposal fails to demonstrate exceptional circumstances required for the release of this land. If the canal is a defensible boundary why are some sites put forward located beyond it.
Insufficient consideration has been give to looking for alternative brown field sites.
There has been little or no consideration give to the significant increase in in air and noise pollution, bother detrimental to the Heath and well being of the population

Complete Absence of detailed infrastructure capacity planning and funding The SG24 proposal has no credible provision regarding roads, schools, healthcare facilities. The proposed sites all rely on country roads , single lane canal bridges (already poorly maintained by WCC), no safe routes for cyclists or pedestrians. Potentially 5,000 additional cars accessing the Stratford Road from Spring Lane, Old Warwick Road, and Aylesbury Road at peak times. An already busy road which comes to a complete standstill at these times, particularly if traffic is diverted off the M42 and/or M40 Potentially 5,000 children would needed to be transported by SWDC to schools in their area. The plan makes no mention of how it’s school catchment area would work.
The lack of healthcare is not addressed.

Flooding and drainage risks
These have been totally ignored. The Stratford Road, School Road, Spring Lane, Broad Lane, Cut Throat Lane all flood frequently. Climate change will only mean this will happen more frequently. The current drainage system is insufficient to support such large scale development. The SWLP has not updated its flood risk assessments , has not provided a clear strategy for land which is already water logged. The cumulative impact of adding further impermeable surfaces to already flood zones has not been considered.

Breach of sustainability principles.
SG24 fails to meet the Sustainability Development Requirements outlined by SW. proceeding with this is in direct opposition to its fundamental principles. The plan is indefensible both legally and ethically.
The unsustainable overdevelopment proposed would irreparably damage Hockley Heath, impacting on residents as well as the surrounding environment.