Object

Representation ID: 14018

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Kathy Collins

This space helps provide an outlet for those who feel stressed or depressed. It allows physical activities to take place in a natural environment of calm and tranquillity thus increasing exercise levels of that use it and reducing obesity. People walk, walk dogs, run,picknick or just strole through this area and benefit in health and wellbeing. This natural environment is uneque to the area and supports a variety of birds, insects mamals, forna and flora that should be protected not lost. The trees and bushes off set the carbon emissions from the M5 and Wolverhampton Rd, both heavy with traffic. They also help with flood management of the site both by interception and root absorbtion. 1 mature tree can manage to absorb 50g/day of water. With out this and the increase in rainfall especially in Autumn/winter due to global warming the area is at greater risk of flooding. Many small watercourses from this site feeding the source of the River Tame in Oldbury. The trees acting as a natural flood defence.
Cycle tract, walking paths that are safe can be provided within this space allowing a variety of sports to take place. The old club house can provide a social meeting place/cafe for lonley, vunrable people to meet with a variety of activities being arranged e.g. knit&natter ladies meeting out door biology lessons for primary school children allowing them to exercise and learn in a safe environment. Outdoor exercise classes in summer/running group would improve health &well being of all the local communities.
Safety of the community is important and if 560 houses are built on this land not only do we loose our green space, forna and flora residents loose somewhere to walk and de stress. Their health and wellbeing will suffer and we will loose the natural habitat for many birds, insects and mamals. Each house built will result in higher carbon emissions to the area. 560 homes 2 cars per home at least 1120 cars hitting the streets daily from this site. Already the junction Queensway/Wolverhampton Rd/Brandhall Rd and Parsons Hill is an accident black spot with accidents, injury and deaths occurring regularly at this site. Added traffic to other roads around this site trying to gain access to the Wolverhampton Rd will increase congestion and road safety in this area. Brandhall Primary school children and parents risk of accidents increased.
With a little effort by the council in:-
1) making access to the site easier from all surrounding sites by opening gates and people not having to go via hedge gaos
2) Improving pathways through the site-disable friendly
3) Improving bins on the site. Currently only 3 bins (were 8) always overflowing with waste deposited by those who use the site- Regular removal of waste. Dog Pooh bins
4) Cycle pathway for adults and children to use in a safe environment away from
5) Club house open as cafe, rentable hall for groups and clubs. Meeting place for all
6) Manage the site not as a manacured park but a nature reserve with a pond, surrounding wet land etc
This will provide work for groundsmen/women and an income from the rental potential of the clubhouse cafe.
There are community volunteers who would also help to maintain this site along with the council.
Additional childrens play area access for cars to park safely would encourage parents with young children to go out, exercise and enjoy time spent together at no cost to them. Add a picknic and a cheap day out improving health and wellbeing for families now and for the future. Helping reduce obesity by encouraging exercise. Please save this space as a green natural space for the community, wildlife and our future.
There are many sites to use for housing Langley e,g. Mernsvale pub- burnt down left in a delapodated state. Could be pulled down and houses or apartments built. Many factory units are derelict so why build more either use those existing or use sites to build homes