Object

Representation ID: 13113

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: George Dallaway

As a 26 year old living in Sedgley, I understand Dudley and the surrounding area needs more affordable housing. But changing the status of greenbelt sites like Moden Hill East is not the answer.

Building 24 executive homes on a Site of Local importance to Nature Conservation (SLINC) within a Landscape Heritage Area and designated Wildlife Consultation Area, is an act of vandalism and will not increase the affordable housing stock.

The government and local authority might insist their policy is brown field first. But house builders will always put profit above all else and if greenfield land is made available that is where they will want to build.

The Black Country Authorities should be encouraging builders to use the money made available by the West Midlands Mayor to clean up brown field sites and build housing that will help young people get on the property ladder.

It's time to stop talking about climate change and start doing something about it. Green field sites like Moden Hill East should be protected at all costs and wherever possible rewilded.

What is the point of having local biodiversity plans if we don't stick to them? Giving House builders permission to build on green sites on the condition they reserve some of the land for recreation doesn't make sense. Children's playgrounds and skate parks are not good for the environment or biodiversity.