Comment

Representation ID: 14013

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Linda Chappell

In this age of re-wilding; carbon capture; green issues and preservation of species, I should like to ask why a small portion of land that I privately own and manage is being reclassified and can then be allocated as building land. I have trees, ancient hedgerows and spring water. There is a variety of wildlife observed regularly including toads, buzzards, kestrels, herons, bats, owls a variety of birds and insects and sometimes deer. The neighbourhood enjoy all these benefits. In fact it is through the neighbours that I learned of this re-classification. Imagine my horror when approached by the neighbours assuming I had sold this parcel of land to builders. I have not, neither has anyone locally, received any information of the plans for re-zoning. It was by chance a friend of one neighbour, from another area, who received a letter identifying and outlining that my land was under discussion. Not only that, I have been informed by two neighbours, that they caught someone trespassing, stating they were surveying my portion of land one day at 6.00 a.m. This was not sanctioned by me, neither have I been asked for any permissions. This mishandled situation has caused much distress to me, my family and neighbourhood leaving us with a very poor opinion and distrust of your organisation. When will we be consulted or treated in a reasonable manner? All other organisations notify householders of possible changes or disruptions. Many people do not have ability to trawl through the internet for hours and certainly do not know where to look if not aware of the issues that may concern them. I hope for an answer and to be shown some respect in the future and that my neighbours are made immediately aware, by letter, of what is under consideration and by whom. Linda Chappell
Q1. Why don’t you consider Green Belt important to reducing carbon emissions?
Q2. Why don’t you show respect to small, local landowners?
Q3.Why don’t you show respect to local neighbourhoods?
Q4. Why weren’t the people adjacent to the land considered for change, informed by letter of the proposals and the consultation period, giving them chance to add their voice to the discussions?
Q5. Why didn’t you inform the above of this Q&A session by letter, to give an opportunity for a representative response?

Please be aware that I have never considered releasing my paddocks, neither have I met with nor engaged anyone to put it forward for consideration for development. I learned only a few short days ago, for the first time, from a neighbour, that the land on Sutton Road behind my home is under consideration in your plans. You have never discussed this with me, neither has any other organisation or planning group had authority from me to do so, or to submit it for consideration. Yet I discovered two days ago that two such groups have included what I own in their plans. PLEASE NOTE I AM AN UNWILLING LANDOWNER and also one who has no knowledge of how and why this has taken place. Has no-one heard of the Land registry and due diligence???
I also have no desire to discuss this with the two parties who have erroneously stated they were acting on my behalf. THEY WERE NOT. It seems these plans have been in fruition for a while, as it has come to my attention this week , that a survey was done in 2018 of which I also had no knowledge except that a neighbour said he saw someone trespassing. I am aghast that no-one has contacted asking me for my permission or to make me aware of the situation. I have been told that the plan is on the internet and in libraries. I say to you, why would I research something I neither expected nor desired.
I take the release of green belt extremely important, as do you, and feel obliged to protect this site which the survey has stated has habitat for some endangered species and plants rare to other parts of the Blackcountry. I could say more but would appreciate your response. Linda Chappell

Yes its part of WAH 231.