BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108716

Derbyniwyd: 27/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Jonathan Ritchie

Flood Risk and Environmental issues.

The A34 in Hockley Heath is already regularly susceptible to significant flooding often a S a consequence of no more than 15 minutes of heavy rainfall There is no way that the drainage system can withstand the imposition of any more development let alone 5000 new homes
Additionally the proposal threatens wildlife including a burgeoning and much loved deer population as well as natural habitats, and is totally contrary to the principles of sustainable development

Housing developments of the type being proposed on the green belt are unequivocally bad for the environment. The green belt was implemented to protect natural environments and prevent urban sprawl. Instead we will see a negative impact on wildlife the disruption of ecosystems and the an increase in carbon emissions .

The Destruction of Hockley Heath as a village

The proposed development would dramatically alter the character of Hockley Heath as a rural community with a distinct historical and environmental identity. Large scale housing developments of the this nature will inevitably urbanize the area destroying local charm, and much loved landscapes This is in direct conflict with the National Planning Policy which understands the vital importance of preserving the character of existing settlements'

Heritage and Conservation

The prosed development is in close proximity to designated heritage sites including listed buildings and a canal conservation area which would be adversely affected by the implementation of these plans. Preserving such sites is a core principle of responsible planning A development of this nature would be completely contrary to national and local planning policies aimed at protecting heritage assets.

Availability of Alternative Sites

Without question there is sufficient non Green belt land allocated in the SWLP to meet any supposed housing demand without sacrificing protected land The only reason behind this proposal is that it is on the border of Solihull and stands to make the most money and certainly if affordable housing is the goal then non green belt development should be the only consideration.

Lack of Community Infrastructure Benefits

The proposed development offers no tangible benefits to the local community Any financial contributions or funding are directed towards Warwickshire leaving our village with no enhancement to mitigate the impact of an incredible 500% increase in population.

Strain on Infrastructure

The local infrastructure is already under huge strain and the proposed development can only exacerbate existing issues such as :-

Road Network Key access routes are already congested with limited scope for road widening or improvement. Increased traffic will worsen congestion on already busy roads and heighten safety issues. During motorway diversions the A34 becomes grid locked The A34 leading to the m40 J16 was deliberately limited to only being able to exit southbound and enter northbound to stop the A3400 experiencing the type of congestion that will be an inevitable consequence of this proposal. Railway The local railway infrastructure is at full capacity and cannot accommodate the increased demand from such a large scale development. Healthcare Local GP surgeries, dental practices and hospitals are already overstretched and this proposed development can only worsen this situation.