Comment

Representation ID: 13007

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elaine Baggott

As a resident of Walsall Borough and a non driving person who lives within a few minutes walk of Walsall Arboretum I object to the proposals to build on this much loved, valued green belt land which is fondly held in the hearts of very many generations of Walsall residents. Walsall Arboretum and the farm fields and livestock which use those fields provide much needed stress relief and relaxation to many thousands of us who live in the increasingly concrete and tarmac Walsall Central. They have through out the pandemic been the reason many of us left the house to exercise, to see a tree, watch the cows, sheep, horses - to feel free as if in the country side whilst listening to the sirens and since lockdown ended sadly the returned roar of the traffic. I have lived in Walsall all of my life and my friends and family all say that the only thing left of any beauty or character of Walsall is the Arboretum and now that is to be taken.
Why would anyone want to live here now? I find few reasons to stay.

The building of houses on the only access to a rural type environment may of us get will lead to:

People like me who stopped driving having to drive again to pollute the planet and contribute to more noise and global warming if those of us non drivers who don’t seem to count as human beings any more are ever to walk in a field or see cows, sheep etc again.

Increase traffic volume and congestion in the area.

Reduce educational opportunities for children in low income deprived families in the area. Not everyone can afford holidays or trips to zoos or theme parks.


Will increase the flooding in the area. We had a death a few years ago on Lichfield Road from flooding.

Will drive up rate of decline of biodiversity as more space for birds and insects and animals to live is taken.

Walsall now feels too busy and claustrophobic to live in. The park and these fields provided literally the only air to breathe.

I visit the park daily and the one positive of the pandemic for me has been seeing an increased use and appreciation of the park and the adjacent green belt land by a diverse range of people. Having shared space to breathe and relax aids community cohesion. There is enough tension.