Comment

Representation ID: 17830

Received: 01/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Kevin Grainger

Comments as follows:

1) This plan is extremely detailed and complicated and requires much study. I don't believe that it is being communicated in a clear and concise fashion to the general public. Perhaps this isn't easy, but this current presentation is detail heavy.... >
2) On what basis does central government determine that the Black County requires 76,000 new homes over the next 20 years - where is this perceived demand coming from?

3) My belief is that as urban areas we need as much green space and biodiversity as possible and also that we should NOT be building on greenfield sites.

4) There are recent covid accelerated trends eg more home working, which I am not convinced have been taken into account. This will lead to a need for less office space. This could be converted to living accomodation.

5) I would like to see a greater emphasis on creating accomodation in town centres above shops and converting existing structures for housing where possible. This willl greatly assist the development and safety in town centres and make use of what already exists. An example of what I would term "random destruction" is the recent complete demolition of the old cinema off Stourbridge ring road on the road up to Oldswinford. My belief is that this building had history and should have been re-purposed and cherished not demolished. Such "development" ie demolition robs an area of it's character.