Object

Representation ID: 12605

Received: 21/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Ian Westwood

Re Draft Black Country Plan 2039 (Regulation 18)

I am commenting on the subject plan, which I find to be ill-conceived, as anyone who lives in, or near to the area would know. The plans are to build houses south of Holbeache Lane (330 houses) and at the Triangle (Swindon Road - 533 houses). The plans clearly fail any reasonable test.

1. Can the local infrastructure support an influx of in excess 1000 extra motor vehicles? No, the only major road that serves the area (the A449) already suffers from chronic congestion at the normal commuting times on the day, as well as at school opening and closing times. There are no local rail stations and the bus service is inadequate (in terms of frequency). This will lead to additional pollution, as well as congestion, with through traffic being tempted to find alternative routes on roads designed for light residential traffic, not heavy through traffic.

2. The developments are planned to be of "high value" houses, so do not appear to meet the often publicised Government targets for creating affordable housing. As "high value" housing, it is highly unlikely that any potential new owners will not already be in housing of their own. All such that developments will achieve is transfer current home-owners from one area to another and will do nothing to solve the alleged housing crisis.

3. Educational considerations - Most of the local schools are already over-subscribed each year. With other 800 houses planned to be built, how will those schools accommodate many hundreds of additional children seeking places? With no additional school to be built, this will be a major problem that has no current solution.

4. With the potential increase in noise and pollution (of both air and light), the area will be downgraded from its current aspirational status, due to the loss of green spaces. Quality of life will be impacted for the existing residents, both during the construction phase and afterwards.