BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 106539

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mr Wayne Fulford

We are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed plans for SG24. These plans, if approved, would have significant and far-reaching consequences for the local community, infrastructure, and environment. We believe the development is not in the best interests of the area and would place undue strain on vital resources and services. In the following response, we will outline the key concerns related to the proposed development, including its impact on traffic, local services, the environment, and the overall quality of life for existing residents.

Response Against Proposed Housing Development Due to Flooding and Drainage Issues
We strongly oppose the proposed housing development in our village due to the ongoing issues of poor drainage and flooding. The village is already experiencing significant problems with its drainage system, which regularly fails to cope with even moderate rainfall. The risk of flooding is a constant concern, and further development would only exacerbate these issues, leading to potentially devastating consequences for the village and its residents.
The current drainage infrastructure is outdated and inadequate, and we are concerned that additional housing will put even more strain on an already fragile system. Increased surface runoff from new homes and roads would further overwhelm the drainage system, increasing the risk of flooding not only on the proposed development site but also in surrounding areas.
We must also consider the environmental impact that further development would have on the village’s ecosystem. Wetlands, green spaces, and natural water absorption areas would be replaced by impermeable surfaces, reducing the land's ability to naturally absorb rainwater. This would lead to an increased risk of surface water flooding, soil erosion, and damage to local wildlife habitats.
Furthermore, there is a lack of clear and comprehensive flood mitigation plans outlined in the proposal. Without a concrete plan to upgrade the drainage infrastructure, the new housing development would significantly heighten the risk of flooding, particularly during heavy storms or adverse weather events. This poses not only an environmental threat but a serious safety concern for current and future residents.
In light of these issues, we believe that the proposed development should be postponed or cancelled until a detailed flood risk assessment and drainage improvement plan are put in place. It is crucial that any new housing developments in the area be accompanied by effective measures to improve the drainage system and protect the village from the serious risk of flooding.
Response Against Proposed Housing Development on Green Belt Land
The primary purpose of Green Belt land is to prevent urban sprawl, protect the natural environment, and maintain the integrity of rural communities. This proposal goes directly against these principles and could have long-lasting negative consequences for the local landscape, wildlife, and the community.
Green Belt land plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between urban and rural areas. It provides valuable open spaces for recreation, agriculture, and biodiversity, and helps preserve the character and identity of villages and towns. Developing on this land would not only result in the loss of these benefits but could also set a dangerous precedent for future encroachment on protected areas.
The importance of Green Belt areas is well-documented, with local and national planning policies specifically designed to protect such lands from unnecessary development. Building on Green Belt land for housing would undermine these policies and lead to further urban sprawl, which could compromise the very qualities that make our rural areas desirable places to live.
In addition, the environmental impact of building on Green Belt land would be significant. This land often provides important habitats for local wildlife and plays a key role in managing natural resources like water absorption and carbon sequestration. By developing it, we risk damaging ecosystems and contributing to climate change, while reducing the area’s ability to support biodiversity and mitigate environmental pressures.
While we recognize the need for more housing, this development is not the solution. There are many brownfield sites and areas of underused land within urban boundaries that should be prioritized for development instead of encroaching on valuable Green Belt land. We urge local authorities to focus on sustainable development strategies that preserve the Green Belt, while also meeting housing needs through responsible and environmentally conscious approaches.
Response Against Proposed Housing Development in Hockley Heath
Housing development in Hockley Heath as it is in direct conflict with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s Local Plan, which specifically states that only small-scale development is appropriate for the village. This proposal does not align with the vision or policies set out in the Local Plan and would significantly undermine the carefully considered strategy for sustainable growth in Hockley Heath.
The Local Plan recognizes Hockley Heath as a village where growth must be managed carefully to preserve its character, protect the surrounding environment, and avoid overdevelopment. It clearly states that only small-scale development is suitable, ensuring that the community remains a sustainable, rural area with the infrastructure and services that can support it. The proposed housing development is not in line with these guidelines, as it represents a large-scale development that could strain local resources, infrastructure, and services.
Hockley Heath’s infrastructure, including roads, schools, and healthcare services, is already under pressure and cannot accommodate the additional burden that a large housing development would impose. The area lacks the capacity for extensive development without significant negative impacts on the quality of life for current residents. The additional traffic, demands on public services, and potential strain on local amenities would be unsustainable for the village.
Furthermore, the scale of the proposed development would significantly alter the character of the village, undermining its distinct rural identity and the very reasons people choose to live there. It would also disrupt the local environment, potentially leading to the loss of green spaces, increased traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. These impacts would not only affect Hockley Heath but could also have wider consequences for the surrounding areas.
The purpose of the Local Plan is to ensure that development is carefully managed to benefit both current and future generations. The proposal for a large housing development goes against this fundamental principle and threatens the balance between growth and preservation that the plan seeks to achieve.

Response Against Proposed Housing Development Due to Traffic Concerns
Any future housing development would add to the significant increase in traffic which would exacerbate the already severe congestion on the A34, M40, and M42. These key roadways are already prone to heavy traffic, particularly during peak hours, and any additional vehicles from a large-scale housing development would only worsen the current situation, leading to even more delays, pollution, and safety risks.
The A34, M40, and M42 are vital routes for commuters, businesses, and local residents, and they already experience frequent congestion, especially during rush hour. The addition of hundreds or potentially thousands of new residents would inevitably result in a large number of new cars on these roads, creating further bottlenecks and significantly increasing journey times. This would not only frustrate existing residents but could also lead to serious disruption for those who rely on these routes for work, education, and daily activities.
Increased traffic congestion on these roads would also lead to a rise in air pollution, which is already a concern in many areas. The environmental impact of this development, particularly in terms of emissions from idling vehicles, would negatively affect the health and quality of life of local residents. Furthermore, the additional traffic would put further strain on an already overstretched road network, increasing the likelihood of accidents and road safety issues.
Local authorities and planners have a responsibility to ensure that developments do not place undue strain on infrastructure. While housing is needed, it must be located in areas where the existing road network can accommodate the increased traffic without detrimental effects. This development fails to meet that criterion and would have a profoundly negative impact on both local traffic flow and the broader road network.
We urge the local council and planning authorities to reconsider this development unless there is a comprehensive traffic management plan in place, including significant upgrades to the A34, M40, and M42 to handle the increased volume of traffic. Without such measures, the development would be unsustainable and harmful to the local community and infrastructure.
Response Against Proposed Housing Development Due to Impact on Wildlife and Biodiversity
We strongly oppose the proposed housing development due to the significant and detrimental impact it would have on local wildlife and biodiversity. The land designated for this development is home to a variety of species, many of which rely on these habitats for survival. The destruction of these natural spaces would result in the loss of important ecosystems and pose a serious threat to the diverse range of flora and fauna currently present.
Our environment is facing increasing pressures, and the protection of wildlife habitats is more crucial than ever. Green spaces, wetlands, woodlands, and meadows are vital for supporting biodiversity, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds for many species. The development would destroy or fragment these habitats, causing displacement of wildlife, disrupting migratory paths, and leading to a loss of biodiversity in the area.
In particular, the destruction of these habitats could severely affect species already under threat, including insects, birds, mammals, and other wildlife that rely on this land. The introduction of urban development will likely result in increased pollution, light disturbance, noise pollution, and other factors that could further harm these delicate ecosystems. The fragmentation of natural habitats can also isolate wildlife populations, making it more difficult for species to thrive and reproduce.
Furthermore, biodiversity plays a critical role in the health of our environment. Healthy ecosystems provide services such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration, all of which are essential to combating climate change and maintaining a balanced environment. By allowing this development to proceed, we risk losing these vital natural processes and jeopardizing the overall health of the local environment.
The environmental impact of this development cannot be underestimated. It is essential that we prioritize the protection of biodiversity and wildlife habitats in our planning decisions. We urge local authorities to reject this proposal unless it is accompanied by a detailed environmental impact assessment and a clear commitment to protecting and enhancing local wildlife and ecosystems.
Strong Opposition to Proposed Housing Development in South Warwickshire
We vehemently oppose the proposed housing development, which falls within South Warwickshire but would place an unfair and unsustainable burden on Solihull. The influx of new residents would significantly strain Solihull’s already overburdened infrastructure, including schools, public transport, healthcare, and refuse collection services. These essential services, which are already stretched, cannot bear the additional pressure from a development located outside Solihull’s boundaries.
Solihull Borough has already expressed its clear opposition to this development, recognizing the detrimental impact it would have on its resources and the quality of life for its residents. This development would result in an inequitable distribution of public services, with Solihull left to shoulder the burden of the new population’s needs.
We strongly urge the authorities to reconsider this proposal. Any development of this scale should not come at the expense of Solihull’s residents or services, and we stand firmly with Solihull in opposing this development.