Object

Representation ID: 13369

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Councillor Khizar Hussain

I wish to put forward my objection and my opposition to the proposals set out in the Black Country Plan, specifically around the Pouk Hill Close Urban Forrest, Old Golf Course next to Reedswood Park and Land Adjacent to Reedswood Way.
The proposals will destroy a natural habitat around these areas that has developed over many years. The destruction of these habitats and the ecology in this area is detrimental to the residents that live in this area. The biodiversity is enjoyed by many residents and destroying it through development of this land is contrary to the wishes of the people of Birchills.
The land is of great benefit to the health and wellbeing of the residents of Birchills and Pleck. The land – all three areas mentioned above – is extensively used by residents and their children. The development on this land will remove this enjoyment but more seriously the benefit to the mental wellbeing willalso be lost. At a time where mental health and wellbeing is so important, it is unacceptable that such an amenity is taken away from the people of this area.
The land around Reedswood that is in the proposal acts as a protection against the pollution that comes from the Motorway. The removal and development of this land will therefore negatively impact on the health of the children and the residents of the area. This particularly important when considering that many of my constituents suffer from lung related illnesses such as COPD and Asthma. They deserve to have their green open space protected.
The area of Birchills is already built up with many development happening at the moment. It is grossly unfair and unequal by developing further on the few green and open spaces that are left in this area for the benefit of the residents.
Finally and crucially there is no support at all for the development of this land and without public support and confidence in the process this should not go ahead. The
consultation process itself has been very poor with many residents expressing their anger and astonishment at the lack of awareness about the development. In addition to this and to add further insult there has been no ‘drop in’ session in this area unlike other ‘more prosperous’ areas of the borough. This is therefore seen rightly as an unequal and discriminatory process by the people of Birchills and Reedswood.
I would be grateful if you would include these comments into the consultation process and acknowledge receipt of this submission.