BASE HEADER

Other

ID sylw: 106815

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Solihull MBC

Reasons to Oppose Hockley Heath Group (SG24) as a Strategic Growth Location in the South Warwickshire Local Plan.

1. Surface Water Drainage Issues
Current drainage problems in Hockley Heath highlight the unsuitability of large-scale development without substantial infrastructure improvements.

2. Lack of Secondary School Provision
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
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
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
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
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
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
The proposed site risks harming wildlife habitats in and around the village, failing to meet this requirement.