Object

Representation ID: 12530

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: Richard Mills

Pouk Hill public open space, Bentley Lane, Reedswood, Walsall.

• Given its natural green space sensitivity, critical public open space importance for local residents, and urban green lung sensitivity helping to significantly reduce harmful levels of air pollution from the M6 motorway network, the entire Pouk Hill green space site should be removed from the 'Core Regeneration Area' designation as shown on page 499 (within Figure 19: Walsall Spatial Strategy Plan) of the emerging Black Country Plan (BCP) (Review) (2021).
• The Pouk Hill green space area should not be promoted for new housing or new employment land development within the emerging BCP (Review).
• The entire Pouk Hill green space site should be specifically designated as an “Air Quality Enhancement Urban Green Lung Area” on the main Policies Map of the emerging BCP (Review) to ensure that its critical role in helping to reduce harmful levels of air pollution from the adjacent M6 motorway network continues to remain protected long into the future. This sensitive urban green space area has significant Public Health benefits.
• The entire Pouk Hill green space site should be specifically designated as “Local Green Space” (LGS) on the main Policies Map of the emerging Black BCP (Review).
• The entire Pouk Hill green space site should be specifically designated as a ‘Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)’ on the main Policies Map of the emerging Black Country Plan (BCP) (Review).
• The entire Pouk Hill green space site should be covered and protected by a ‘blanket Tree Preservation Order (TPO)’ (a blanket TPO) designation within the emerging Black Country Plan (BCP) (Review) (2021).
• The entire Pouk Hill green space site should be specifically designated as a key “wildlife corridor” on the main Policies Map of the emerging BCP (Review) given that it forms part of the wider ‘landscape-scale’ green infrastructure network connecting to other wildlife habitats.

Reedswood Town Park public open space

• The entire Reedswood Town Park public open space should be removed from the 'Core Regeneration Area' designation as shown on page 499 (within Figure 19: Walsall Spatial Strategy Plan) of the emerging BCP (Review) (2021).
• Reedswood Town Park should be designated as protected Parkland public open space on the main Policies Map of the emerging BCP (Review) (2021).
• Reedswood Town Park public open space should not be promoted as a potential new housing or new employment land development site within the emerging BCP (Review). Walsall Council should be aware that Town Parks are not appropriate locations for these types of uses given their high level of green space planning policy sensitivity.
• Reedswood Town Park should be specifically designated as a key “wildlife corridor” on the main Policies Map of the emerging BCP (Review) given that it forms part of the wider ‘landscape-scale’ green infrastructure network connecting to other wildlife habitats.