Object

Representation ID: 12874

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Sadie Lambert

I am a resident of the Walsall borough [Redacted-GDPR]. In the hope that my views are listened too I have composed this email. As part of my complaint is that l/we are being treated quite poorly during this consultation process, I fear you may live up to my expectations and merely ignore me if you should read this at all.
I cannot speak of this matter without mentioning the Black Country Plan, which is in consultation at present.
I understand the need for a 25 year review, as requested by Central government. I understand the need for a request for more housing and the imposition on the planning committee to seek out areas of development.
Then why are the residents of the local area angry at what they perceive is an attempt to blindside us by this poorly communicated important issue when considering our conservation areas?
Running alongside the Black Country Plan, which has been appallingly managed from a consultation issue with the public, it has been seen as a smokescreen to mask the conservation status and potential changes.
I have knocked doors all around the area. Those on the perimeter of the conservation area don't know about it. I was told only those living within it are informed. I can tell you categorically this is not true as I have asked some of them!
Why has there been no consultation?
Are you trying to hide something. Deceive us?
Because of the complaints a small consultation was given at the Collingwood Centre. But this could only be advertised by us on the internet at this late date.
Not all resident can access the internet due to the age demographic.
Nothing you can say would placate me/us to say that your communication has been anything other that shameful.
25 years ago the council voted to keep the conservation area. Yet there are no records to say what happened in the meeting other than a vote of 4-3.
The reasons for shrinking the conservation area centres around Great Barr hall. Another shameful episode in the history of Great Barr and the public servants who are supposed to represent us.
That one reason given that you cannot see Great Barr hall from Barr Beacon now that the trees have grown is ridiculous. You've never been able to. To then leave Barr Beacon in the hands of a group of trustees, who have not met in nearly 2 years.
My husband is a trustee elsewhere and has had virtual meetings. That one ex trustee at Barr Beacon extended his garden boundary onto ancient woodland in Streetly, does not fill me with the hope that Barr Beacon would be looked after should it bE merely designated as Greenbelt land.
The Black Country plan also states that the Greenbelt boundaries are to be re-drawn. Therefore, the Prime Ministers statement that he won't build on Greenbelt may well be true. Just shrink the boundaries and build on the land!
1. Please represent my views.
2. Please consider an extension to this matter, communicate properly and have a proper consultation on the matter. Not with just those living inside the conservation area.