Object

Representation ID: 13714

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Mary Edwards

Re: Strategic Allocation Policy WSA3
Site Reference WAH237/WAH253 Land north/south of Stonnall Road, Aldridge.
1. J 13.10.3 If allowed, this development would have a serious, detrimental effect on the landscape. It would permanently remove agricultural land currently used for crop production.
2. J 13.10.4 There would be a serious impact on biodiversity, and the good farming noted above supports good biodiversity. Natural habitats including trees and hedges would be destroyed. I have often heard [Redacted-Sensitive information], currently on the 'Red List' as Birds of Conservation Concern, [Redacted-Sensitive information].
3. J 13.10.7 Mineral resources. This area lies within a mineral safeguarding area and this should be safeguarded as noted in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
4. J 13.10.8 It is proposed to build about 400 new homes and this would put unacceptable extra pressure on local schools. In particular, the nearest local primary schools are already full and are at least 2 form-entry (2FE). From my experience of working with primary schools in other local authiorities, including planning for school places, and having been a governor of two primary schools, I consider that 2FE is large enough to give economy of scale but anything larger (3FE) results in a primary school of over 600 children, too large for young children.
Although I have no first-hand experience of planning for health care, I fear that this development would have a similar effect on local provision.
5. J 13.10.9 Transport. With the exception of one limited bus route (35/35A) this area is nowhere near public transport so I assume that anyone living in this proposed development would need to use a car. It is suggested that Stonnall Road would be widened as far as the development is proposed to extend. The whole road, Stonnall Road and Birch Lane, which connects downhill to the A452 Chester Road, is very narrow and has two blind corners; to make it busier at either end would make it even more dangerous than it is at present which would be completely unacceptable.
I agree with Wendy Morton MP that brownfield sites, for which 25m in government support is now available, should be developed first in preference to taking any of the Green Belt and was pleased to hear the Prime Minister support this policy in his speech of 6th October. Green Belt land is precious and must only be used in very special circumstances which are not satisfied here.