Object

Representation ID: 19312

Received: 23/12/2021

Respondent: Ms Sally Atherton

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 conclude 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.