Object

Representation ID: 12284

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Abigail Wilkins

Objection to the planning in Kingswinford (Wall Heath)

1. Effect on road infrastructure: Roads into and around the Wall Heath and Kingswinford are already struggling to cope - they are heavily congested throughout the day and grid locked, with tailbacks, at peak times on major A491 and A449 routes. Based on 2.4 people per household, resident numbers will increase by 2071, not including the additional developments, existing and planned, in neighbouring areas (e.g. major improvements either). Households use multiple cars and vehicles, which will increase congestion to in an multiple 'shortcuts' through estates to avoid congestion. The road infrastructure through Wall Heath and Kingswinford cannot support an increase in traffic volume and new roads cannot be built to alleviate this without compromising more Green Belt.

2. Effect on road safety: Housing developments and increased traffic will seriously impact on road safety - for drivers and pedestrians. The elderly, infirmed and school children (primary and secondary) will be exposed to increased risks when crossing roads in multiple areas. Traffic control and extra pedestrian crossings will increase travel time further, adding to the existing issues with congestion.

3. Effect of increased congestion on public transport and air quality: public transport is limited to buses only in our area, with no other alternatives (rail is 30mins+). These services are already affected by the volume of traffic at peak times - especially routes along he A491. Increased congestion will impact on service times and reliability further, counteracting initiatives to encourage residents to use buses to reduce air pollution. Since Hansen rates parts of Kingswinford as having the worth commuting score from homes to places of employment, residents will have few alternatives but to use own transport, thereby adding to congestion and CO2 emissions. "Motorised road traffic is one of the greatest man-made contributions to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere" (Dudley Travel Plan). Particle pollution is also caused by tyres and brakes. By making our congested roads even worse, it will impact on local residents who are vulnerable to air pollution - older people, the young and those with chronic illnesses. The A491 feeds into Wordsley High Street as people travel to Stourbridge; already identified as having unsafe ait quality, where "Nitrogen Dioxide" has been measured as exceeding the national air quality of 40ug/m3

4. Effect on car parking for schools: Difficulties associated with carparking for local schools will increase. The plan refers to 'improving schools', however there is no space for carparking. By increasing the size of schools, this does not resolve the issues of double-parking along roads - increasing risks to children and residents in the area. Sites at Holbeache and the Triangle are not convenient to local schools through winter months - increasing further road use and congestion on the A441 and A491.

5. Effect on school admissions: There are insufficient school places for children across the area. For September 2021 admissions, the only secondary with places for Year 7 is Wordsley. Most other year groups are full. There are no places for reception in Wall Heath for 2021; only one school in Kingswinford with places. Creating spaces by enlarging existing schools will change the character of them, or force building that take away car-parking, play areas or fields.

Effect on NHS: There are not enough local doctors and dentists in the local area. Residents are being forces to travel out the area to access care. Wall Heath and Kingswinford have a number of elderly residents who cannot physically do this - due to their own capabilities and lack of public transport.
-pre-lockdown, the average waiting time at Russell's Hall was over 4 hours (2019). April '21 inspections show it still 'requires improvment'
-longer ambulance wait times (in 2020, the turnaround times reached 60mins)
-further delays in local health services, mental health services (rapidly growing), hospital treatment and operations for serious illness.

Effect on Mental Health: The green belt at Holbeach and the Triangle are much needed, open spaces for mental well-being. They are enjoyed by a large number of the community for walking and appreciating the natural environment. During lockdown, these two beautiful, open spaces helped to reduce anxiety and still continued to do so now. By building on these spaces - creating noise and air pollution, affecting the visual landscape and developing over several years - It will directly affect residents who need them. These two sites help to give residents pride in the area. As well as losing the space, additional stress will be created by light pollution and the building work itself will impact on residents, in terms of noise, traffic, visual and smell for a significant period of time (This will also impact on physical health - see point 3 above)

8. Loss of Green Belt; effect on Local wildlife and the environment: - all brownfield sites and disused buildings across all other areas of England should be identified to address the national housing need - imposing more housing in already a highly concentrated urban area, should not be expected to absorb yet more houses and have to release Green Belt at Wall Heath and Kingswinford because of imposed housing figures. This will create futher urban sprawl.
-If these two sites are developed, it would put the area at risk of being opened-up to further development by South Staffs in their preferred option plan. At present they prevent urban Sprawl along the Western edge of the Black Country
-Holbeache is VERY GOOD agricultural land - it is Grade 2, Where a range of crops can be grown. The Triangle is Grade 3, which is also useful agricultural land. Both reduce the need to import food into Birmingham and contribute to easing resource reliance. The government committed a 25-year plan to protect land of this quality and use the soil in a sustainable way (updated feb'21)
- The hedgerows all around Holbeache and a small plot to the left form a SLINC; The Triangle is also SLINC (Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation). Building here will mean loss of wildlife (sightings of owl, buzzards, a pair of red kites, bats - both protected); also, loss of bees and butterflies and biodiversity that wildlife corridors at both locations would be irreversible.
- Loss of ancient oak trees at the Triangle and ancient hedgerows at Holbeache. Many trees and have Tree Preservation Orders. This will contribute to climate change - replanting schemes will not replace ancient habitats and features of the local environment.
- Loss of yearly daffodils display. They add to the character of Wall Heath, are photographed across the region and create a " positive image" to enjoy (Ed Lawrence, Exp & Star March2020). The poppies on the Triangle made national news.
-Flood risk to both areas due to the gradient of the land - this will impact on drainage of the area and ground water.
- Local people appreciate the green belt through walks and cycle rides - there is huge opposition, both local and across the Midlands; we want to protect it for future generations.
9. Financial impacts: the proposed 'high value' housing will not solve issues linked to social housing (which is set between 10 - 30%). Kingswinford and Wall heath are being classed as 'growth areas' e34r other major towns with access to better infrastructures, schools and employment opportunities. There are little nearby employment sites or networks to support this.

10/ Impact on Historical characteristics: The area is connected with the Greensforge Roman Camp at the Triangle and Holbeach House (Wolverhampton Road)