Object

Representation ID: 10891

Received: 16/09/2021

Respondent: Miss Jane Williams

Dear Dudley Council
I am writing to you on behalf of many concerned Great Barr/Streetly residents regarding the proposed housing development on the site of Doe Bank Lane/Queslett Road/Aldridge Road. As the proposal is now open to public consultation, it gives us the opportunity to provide our point of view until 11th October 2021:
There is a network of established hedgerows containing matures trees including oak and hawthorn across this designated build site. Casual observation has uncovered 11 RED LISTED BIRD SPECIES on the proposed footprint: [Redacted-sensitive information]. The following have also been noted in a half mile radius: [Redacted-sensitive information] plus many more. [Redacted-sensitive information]are also frequently spotted in the spot but [Redacted-sensitive information]origins are unknown. This brief list is not taking into account plants and insects. It would be very interesting to read your ecology report. Aside from the nature aspect and well-being issues associated with green space there is the massive implications of additional traffic and the pollution that this will bring. The Queslett Road/Aldridge Road and Beacon Road island is constantly grid locked now…. And was one of the main reasons that Aldi had a planning application revoked. (That along with the fact they wanted to destroy mature woodland on the edge of the Queslett Nature Reserve) the community came together and voiced their objections then and we will do it again. We have a sizable petition which currently has 4440 signatures and growing by the day: [Redacted-GDPR]
There is also a Facebook "Save Barr Beacon Greenland" page [Redacted-GDPR]
We won’t let our precious countryside go without an almighty fight!
The following items are taken from the government website:
Protecting the green belt:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-further-strengthen-green-belt-protections?fbclid=IwAR0lcjT77xeXliW_Bs7pMnTP_Ptk2NTWI-45KBS4kH8dGNE1ZkHRAmVT-0E
Drawing on protections in the National Planning Policy Framework, to protect the green lungs around towns and cities.
Green belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional cases, through the preparation or review of the Local Plan.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: I am crystal clear that the green belt must be protected from development so it can continue to offer a strong defence against urban sprawl.
Today’s new rules strengthen these protections further, and ensure that whether it’s new homes, business premises or anything else, developers first look for suitable sites on brownfield land.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/13-protecting-green-belt-land?fbclid=IwAR0tGlNBCfkh63NlqjtD1JTwEh78pDTXw5Gq08DOb70hON4t4O9GmXONMPk
13. Protecting Green Belt land
137. The government attaches great importance to Green Belts . The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.
138. Green Belt serves 5 purposes:
a) to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
b) to prevent neighbouring town merging into one another;
c) to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
d) to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
e) to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.
Proposals affecting the Green Belt
147. Inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances.