Object

Representation ID: 10995

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Neil Bowen

Under the 'Call for Sites' exercise currently being undertaken the 'Land of Viewfield Crescent was put forward as a strong candidate for the building of new housing stock despite its designated statuses. We would like to know where we could find a copy of your policy reference 'CSA1' and what it relates to. The reference of 'CSA1' is quoted along with the removal from Green Belt comment on the right hand column in the 'Draft' proposal document 'Call for Sites' (BCP SITE REF DUH210). Is the land in question already a 'fait accompli'? I and MANY of my neighbours object vehemently to this proposal. For the record many of neighbours are elderly and not able to download forms or register their views through your online portal. I enclose a secondary Letter with accompanying photograph which typifies this beautiful location. The letter was done by [name and address given] and his many neighbours who find your online system to difficult to respond through.

I would like to draw attention to the following details pertaining to this area of land before a legal battle between the local community and DMBC is very likely to commence. Be in no doubt that the community will do all its power to put a stop to this nonsense. Below I list many bullet points pertaining to the area in question, many of them raised and enforced by your administration historically relating to the sensitivity and safeguarding laws were also endorsed by the Inspectorate. I enclose correspondence which relates to previous limited development issues which pertained to this valued area of land, which are self evidence in its content as too being a high level of sensitivity and safeguarding of the land in question. These attributed are even more highly valued in to today's 'climate change' conscious environment. Recently published government guidance provides advice to councils and others on identifying and maintaining a network of areas such as this in the Birmingham and the Black Country. I also supply the views of our local conservative MP Marco Longhi which mirror our own views on this matter.

Another question I which I would like clarification is this area of land once had a designation of being a 'SINC' when and how did its designation become a 'SLINC' and on what basis? We would like to see the evidence please

Areas such as these with attached designated qualifications are protected from damaging development by local and national planning policy, so on what basis is the land even being put forward and being considered for the mass development of housing development? It beggars belief?

It is our understanding that within the Council's Adopted Unitary Development Plan (UDP) for this area of land is designated Green Belt, a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), it is also quoted as being a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and is located within a Landscape Heritage Area. It is also quoted as being a designated Wildlife Consultation Area. Why on earth is a wonderful and respected area situated at the heart and pinnacle of the Cotwall End Valley even being considered? What other Green Belt sites dismissed and scoped out of the exercise by DMBC have these designated hallmarks? Surly the term of 'absolute constraint' applies here, but has clearly not been applied here. It is a complete and utter travesty and a complete contradiction of terms. Looking at the photograph in the "Call for Sites" draft proposal document, where the area seems to have been assessed was taken at the bottom of Moden Hill, where there is a small area of flat grasses surface looking up at the few dwellings on the top in the background. Was this a deliberate ploy done intentionally to portray the land to look like the Green Belt area is already close to a built up area? I would implore you to compare this with the photograph portrayed on the second objection letter! If a proposed development is being considered here why did the photographs not depict the view from its majestic position at the pinnacle at the head of Cotwall End Valley with the panoramic views on offer here, not to mention the high pressure gas main and the shear slope of the terrain here? Instead you have taken the photograph from a country land totally unsuitable for vehicular traffic with the above mentioned behind them and out of site of the camera lens! The area is visually prominent with the wider countryside to the west, and development here would have devastating effect on the visual amenities of the area near and far.

Other Revised Deposit UDP's state that area is clearly within a designated Green Belt, within a designated Site of Local Importance for Nature and Conservation (SLINC) and within a Landscaped Heritage Areas also. Policy states that within Local Landscape Heritage Areas, the Council will resist any development or works taking place, which would be detrimental to the character, quality and historic integrity of the landscape. Policies within the LHA states that within SLINCs the Council will seek to maintain and where possible 'enhance' the quality, amount and distribution of the key habitat types and features.

Horses have been stabled here and the meadow land has an abundance of other wildlife and flowers some of which are protected species also. At the bottom of the escarpment of this land, where water gathers and forms pools 'Greater Crested Newts' can be found here which are a highly protected species by law. The area of land basically consists of a steep escarpment and gives rise to a natural water course and even in the driest conditions water percolates from the top to the bottom of the escarpment to form small pools. The water course then runs across Moden Hill roadway in various places and continues into the Cotwall End Nature Reserve where larger natural pools are found with wild foul. Other water courses also feed into the Nature Reserve from Cotwall End Road and onward into the Straits area. During periods of even moderate rainfall Moden Hill can almost resemble an area of small rapids. Some local residents have spotted deer here and the escarpment with its wester facing high altitude generates a perfect haven for falcons and sparrow hawks to hover in search of prey and ornithologists can often be found here. There are also Hedgehogs present with the usual compliment of foxes. Many local people, ramblers and 'Friends of Cotwall End Valle' far and wide often congregate in Viewfield Crescent to take in the wonderful panoramic aspect on offer here. Sometimes artists can be seen here sketching also. All hedgerows and trees have preservation orders on them. Any historic development that have been allowed here have had to adhere to the strictest of terms and conditions that prevail and have been enforced here. these include Permitted Development Rights being removed from any dwellings in the proximity, and every slightest thing had to be landscaped and blended into the surrounding area, this involved something using special materials to blend into the area and to prevent overlooking and loss of privacy to name a few. Public rights of way also criss - cross the said area. We will be contacting all the relevant Conservation Bodies and Trusts to inform them as to your proposed actions.

On a slightly different note major high pressure gas pipelines transit under this area of land, items such as these present a major hazard to any form of construction. The area also hosts the serving sewage pipes and other amenities such as gas and electricity serving the three detached bungalows located adjacent to this land and transit through it also. The large house to the north of the land is also vulnerable in this respect. Viewfield Crescent is currently grid locked with parked and cars, at certain times there seem to be more cars than people, parking is a nightmare. Traffic that transit through Viewfield Crescent in opposite directions often has to mount the kerb in order to pass each other, a clear health and safety issues. The Ridgeway, into which Viewfield Crescent leads, suffers from the same problem and has become a major 'Rat Run' from Gornal to Sedgley and vice versa. This proposed development will only compound the problem. The whole infrastructure is totally inadequate to support the vehicular traffic that now prevails without adding anymore to its volume. At certain times of the day you can wait to more than thirty minutes to access the main Dudley to Wolverhampton road from The Ridgeway, during the 'School Run' it can be much worse. Tail backs across The Ridgeway, can be horrendous; much of this is down to the wanton and reckless past housing development schemes that have been imposed on the area. Currently Himley is also being decimated by Staffordshire MBC which seems to be on a similar road map, this again will impact on our area. We all know there is already a major problem with places at local schools, doctors and dentists at a premium, where do you draw the line with theses prevailing issues? There is now hardly any open green space left in the area except from maybe Himley Hall. Himley Hall during lock down was absolutely rammed with people and cars looking for somewhere to enjoy, and on some days it was inaccessible. It is a fact that many more people were enjoying this area as an alternative option. head of the 'Friends of Cottwal End Valley Society' regularly organises and promotes a variety of different walks in the area, along with 'litter picking' days.

I would strongly recommend that this area of land is removed from the call for sites review with immediate effect. Legal advice has been sought at the time of writing and solicitors have already been approached and costed to undertake the exercise, and they are willing to do so, I confirm this in writing if you wish.

I will state with a great amount of certainty that is this scheme goes ahead it will culminate in a massive note loser for you and your administration going forward. I have personally knocked on many doors bordering the area and everyone is totally outraged by its audacity. Nobody knew about the meeting at DMBC on Monday 05/07/2021. A majority of people do not know anything about the issues as it appears to being done by stealth, however they are prepares to do everything in their power to stop it and at any cost, and no stone will be left unturned to achieve this outcome.

We need a speedy response on your intentions as the 'Window of Opportunity' is quite small for the local community give a comprehensive response on this major issue. Currently awareness is very low about the issue and even people who do know and oppose the development are thwarted from doing because the survey response mechanism requires an electronic digital response and many people are 'Not on Line' and are not 'IT SAVVY', many people do not have broadband and are therefore sitting in ignorance as to what is happening around them until it is too late. I believe the electronic survey is also 'flawed' in its design giving people multiple choice options on various sites but forward in this ludicrous process, all this will achieve is to create an 'us' versus 'them' mentality i.e. 'Not in my Backyard' approach when selecting the given options. there is also a danger of more populous areas painting an unfair picture of who wants what and where! Instead of plain common sense.

We await your comments.