Object

Representation ID: 17684

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Patrick Bradley

[SAH228]

I wholly object to the building on the green space, formerly used as Brandhall Golf Course.

Previously as a golf course Brandhall was not used much by the community due to the limited appeal and popularity of this sport, not because the community dont value this area greatly.
Whilst it was used as golf course, Brandhall and the surrounding area still benefited from the crucial green buffer between 2 very busy and polluted arteries, namely the M5 and the Wolverhampton Road A4123.
This green space still provided the local community with a rare space to take a perimeter stroll, to walk the dog, albeit with the limitations of access as a golf course.
This green space still helped in absorbing all the harmful gases produced by these busy roads and the small particulates produced by diesel, tyre and brake wear.
See here for more details:
https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/cat09/1907101151_20190709_Non_Exhaust_Emissions_typeset_Final.pdf

This green space still helped in our battle against climate change.
This green space still provided a flooding barrier for local houses.
This green space still provided rare habitat for birds, bats, foxes, rabbits and all sorts of flora and fauna.
This green space was an oasis in a borough, lagging massively behind on green space compared to the national average.
This green space still made Brandhall all the more attractive for the surrounding community and other developments both residential and commercial.
Now, no longer a Golf Course, all of the above benefits still exist and are more important than ever.
The potential of this green space though has grown exponentially now in becoming an asset the whole community can use, not just golfers.
This green space can play a vital part in improving the air quality for the local community, providing a space for exercise and enjoyment to offset mental and physical challenges of Sandwell residents.
This green space can offer a fabulous education space for future generations in natural sciences and the green economy.
This green space with minor investment, can offer facilities for our community to come together.
This green space can be sustainable and generate green revenue for Sandwell MBC.
Development of this land for houses will be bad for both new residents moving into these houses and bad for the existing local population all round.

The 1992 Planning Application lodged by Open Golf & Leisure Ltd to develop the club house was rejected by Sandwell Council as it was;
"not acceptable in that it would entail the loss of open space for use by the general public in an area where there is a shortage of such provision".

In the 30 years that has passed since this application, the green space provided by Sandwell MBC has only deteriorated further.
Therefore I ask why should Sandwell MBC grant development of this vital space now?
In the 30 years that has passed since this rejected application, science has proved we are in a full climate emergency and should be using our full weight to defend, appreciate and unlock the true value of this green space.
I urge all community servants involved in decision making on this development to reject it 100%, be bold and look beyond the developers cheque book for a one off cash sum.
Once our green space is gone, its gone forever.