Object

Representation ID: 19283

Received: 08/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Ron Atherton

[Site Ref: SAH228]

I wish to register my sincere displeasure and anger at
your proposal at building 560 houses at the green space
site of Brandhall golf course and Parsons Hill Park, this
represents a travesty and will be regretted for decades
to come by the local community.
Michael Gove is putting forward a plan to re-wild fields
which seems to be at odds with these proposals. Losing
this space will rob the people of the local area of the
opportunity to use and enjoy this precious green space,
much has been spoken about the benefits of green
spaces and how they positively impact on peoples
mental and physical health, people are much more
appreciative of open green spaces to wander and to be
able to reflect.
We are not short of housing stock in this area, having
had a housing development established in Rowley Regis
in recent years. This is evidenced as the area, Old
Warley already has 75% less green space than the
average in the area. The loss of this green space will
affect many people across several council wards, having
an immeasurable detrimental impact on our physical,
mental health and well-being.
The former golf course has become a vital resource for
the local community, even more so as a result of the
pandemic. Many local families and individuals use the
area as a space for jogging, walking gathering and
enjoying the local wildlife. This plan demonstrates your
cavalier attitude to the benefits of the physical and
mental benefits of such a premium piece of land, I can
only conlude the council is working behind the scenes
with building contractors, no doubt lining the pockets
of key individuals, no doubt this will come out in the
fullness of time.
The area is busy with much traffic passing by on the
nearby Wolverhampton Road. The impact will be of
building 560 new houses near a road which has seen
many injuries and 7 deaths in the last 10 years will be
devastating from environmental perspective, not to
mention the already stated health and mental health
impacts.
Without the precious green space to balance out the
pollution caused by the busy Wolverhampton Road and
nearby motorway there will also be an impact on air
quality. The obliteration of 4,000 trees in the green
space will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the
health and life chances of the local community. I have a
young grandson who I enjoy walking with in our local
area and I worry about the impact of losing this space
will have on him.
There is also the unpalatable associated increased flood
risk that will follow ridding the area of its natural flood
defense.
It also goes without saying that there are no associated
plans to increase the number of local facilities in the
area such as doctors surgeries. It is already difficult
enough to get an appointment and time with your local
GP without further increasing the demand.
I do hope that mine and others comments are duly
considered and noted and this more than a paper
exercise, people have little confidence in their elected
officials as it appears they are motivated by personal
gain, prestige and status, it would be a nice surprise if
through this consultation you take the decision based
on the greater community interest rather than a select
few.I am happy to discuss any of the themes detailed in
this letter.