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Representation ID: 21312

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Ronald Stevens

Ref: Black Country Plan (BCP) (Review) (August 2021} Regulation 18 public consultation document.
Dear Cllr Gaz Ali,
Please accept this letter as an objection to the proposed development of; Reedswood Town Park Open Space, former Reedswood Golf Course, Pouk Hill green open space, and the public open space located north of Churchill Road & the Jane Lane School, and as a request for you act/vote on my behalf against the proposal.

The proposed development will remove much needed and loved open spaces in the area, that are vital to the environment and people's mental health and well being. They allow residents to re-connect with the natural environment close to home and help escape the stresses of urban life. They were areas of critical importance during the lock-down restrictions, and continue to provide local residents with external spaces for recreation.

The proposed sites, especially Pouk Hill and the public open space north of Churchill Road/Jane Lane School should be removed from any future development proposals, as these spaces offer a vital noise and 'green lung' barrier to residents living so close to much congested and polluting, M6 motorway. Even Walsall Councils own ADMS-Urban Air Quality Model shows how these areas already exceed the acceptable levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), so I urge that these sites are saved and planted with more trees to help improve air quality and reduce noise levels.

In a time where we are being told to do all we can to reverse climate change and to be mindful of our mental health, it seems ludicrous to be tearing down these open spaces for development.

Our local area is already so highly built up that these spaces are all the more precious, and whilst we do understand the need for more housing, building in already densely built up areas, us irresponsible. Residents in this area lack green and open spaces more than other parts of the Walsall borough, therefore, I would suggest that Dudley & Walsall Council look at alternative sites where the impact of green/open spaces losses would be less detrimental