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Representation ID: 13140

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Keith Dallaway

Both Central and Local government have made clear that they are committed to taking action against Climate Change. Making green belt land available for development (even if that development is many years in the future) is not in keeping with this commitment or in keeping with local biodiversity action plans for safeguarding nature conservation.

Vegetation acts as a carbon sink and soil one of the most important natural carbon sinks on the planet. Building on this previously undeveloped land will compromise the carbon storage capacity of the natural environment.

Moden Hill East is a designated Site of Local importance to Nature Conservation (SLINC) within a Landscape Heritage Area and designated Wildlife Consultation Area. The Black Country Core Strategy limits development on these sites (ENV1 Nature conservation and ENV2 Historic character and local distinctiveness) to protect the local environment and promote biodiversity.

Moden Hill East is an important habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. It is also home to at least one .

Building 24 executive homes will not increase the amount of affordable housing available in the local area. It will add more cars to our already congested roads and place even greater pressure on local services, including schools and doctors surgeries.

It also goes against the Governments Green Belt policy, which is to prevent urban sprawl and keep land permanently open to the public. There are plenty of brown field sites throughout the area covered by the Black Country Plan and money has been made available by the West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, to help fund clean up costs.