Object

Representation ID: 16426

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Diane & Doreth Hughes / Daly

Our objections are as follows:

We have been residents of [location] for 20 years and wish to strongly object to the proposed development of green belt land next to Walsall Arboretum.

1. This will greatly impact on the wildlife and ecology of this area. Natural habitats and wildlife corridors will be destroyed. The great number of visitors who currently use the arboretum will be affected by the loss of beauty of the area.
We realise that people need housing but there are numerous brownfield sites that could be developed around Walsall which would be more suitable as they are lying useless at the moment. This would also help regeneration of the town and surrounding areas.
The greenbelt will be lost 'forever' while the brownfield sites will remain a problem.

2. We are also concerned that 600 homes in this location would greatly impact on the already horrific traffic problems around this area.Despite the fact that several adjustments have been made the traffic problem is still horrendous and would further deteriorate even assumimg each of the 600 houses had only one car.

3. The management of the consultation period leaves a lot to be desired.
It was not put forward in a straightforward manner. Everything to do with our property has to follow strict protocols because of it's proximity to the arboretum. We find it amazing that this planning which will destroy natural habitat, beauty, residents enjoyment of the area, has been covertly delivered via a black country plan which has only recently been pushed through the door.No mention of the arboretum was specifically made and the time span for response has been extremely tight.

In conclusion, we strongly object to this planning along with 1,800 signatures who are objecting to this proposal. I think all residents should be informed in an appropriate manner and allowed to vote
on this proposal as there is immense opposition to this plan (once residents know about it.)