Object

Representation ID: 23382

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Councillor Adam Collinge

In terms of the Bushbury Urban Extension (CSA1) proposals into the Green Belt, I note that land east of Northycote Lane has a harm rating of Very High. This is highest harm rating in the Green Belt Assessment, thus indicating the highest degree of conflict with Green Belt policy. Moreover, irrespective of whether there is justification for Green Belt release, I note that both the Bushbury and Wood Hayes/Falling Park Urban Extension areas extend beyond what may be considered permanent and defensible Green Belt boundaries in the form of Northycote Lane/Legs Lane/Cats and Kittens Lane and Wood Hayes Road respectively. Para 143 f) of NPPF requires for Green Belt to "define boundaries clearly, using physical features that are readily recognisable and likely to be permanent". Some of the extension proposals extend beyond such pre-existing permanent boundaries to the Wolverhampton borough boundary, but it is unclear to me whether the extension edges would be sufficiently robust where they abut open countryside beyond. I believe this aspect should be considered further.