Object

Representation ID: 18205

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Councillor Wendy Dalton

I write as a Councillor for Merry Hill Ward. My comments reflect the views of myself and the great majority of residents in my Ward.
My objection to the draft Black Country Plan specifically relates to site WOH274, the former Wolverhampton Environment Centre on Westacre Crescent in Finchfield, where it is proposed to build 14 properties. myself, and hundreds of local residents object to this proposal in the strongest possible terms.
The site sits at the heart of the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, and is currently green open space that is enjoyed by many people.
During The pandemic myself and residents took to the beautiful space to improve their mental and physical Well being. without it i do not know know what so many would have done, some of whom traveledl a considerable distance just to enjoy the nature and the beauty of the land.
This deveopment is inappropriate as access to the deveopment would require access across greenway. This conflicts with Policy CSP4 Achieving well designed places, and policy ENV8 , Open space, sport , recreation
I support the 'Friends of the WEC' group, a social media group which currently has over 1,000 members, to oppose any development on the site and instead to preserve it for the local community to enjoy.
The site is a showcase of nature and wild animals, and any housing on the land could only be of detrimental effect to them. The land also absords water from the nearby Smestow Brook when that overflows, acting as a shallow wetland which benefits the environment and nature. If houses were built on the land, this would cause drainage problems and the overspill would have to go elsewhere.
The site is also specifically protected in the Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan (Policy TNP6) where it states the land is designated as agricultural and the preferred option is to retain the land for community use. The Neighbourhood Plan also states that the site should be fully integrated into the Nature Reserve, and indeed designated as a SINC. Wolverhampton Council have disregarded the Neighbourhood Plan when drawing up their proposals to build on the site.
As part of the development of the Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan, a public survey was conducted in which 78% of respondents objected to any housing development on the site. This further strengthens our objections on behalf of the local community.
To conclude, as a Community Association representing hundreds of local residents in Finchfield and Castlecroft, who would be greatly affected by development of the former WEC site, we object to the inclusion of this site in the Black Country Plan and request that it is removed. It is our strong belief that Wolverhampton Council can find more appropriate space elsewhere in the city for 14 properties to be built, including via increasing numbers at existing brownfield sites where development is planned.