Comment

Representation ID: 23465

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Birchills Agenda 21 Group

Number of people: 339

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to you to raise my concerns in relation to the Black Country Plan (Review). In particular, I have concerns that Walsall Council is proposing to include
the Pouk Hill urban green space area within a proposed designated "Core Regeneration Area" within figure 19: Walsall Spatial Plan Map on page 499 of the Black Country Plan (BCP) Regulation 18 public consultation document.

The Pouk Hill open space area forms a very important green space resource which I have used for many years as a place to exercise my dog and as a natural environment urban green area in which to relax. The urban area has increasing shortage of these important open space sites. Walsall Council does not appear to
have any credible evidence to back up and support its planning policy approach for this site. For example, the Council does not have an up to date and robust Green
Infrastructure Study. The Council's position on this issue is not based on credible or accurate information or robust evidence. The lack of appropriate evidence base is
concerning, given that the Council is, and has included, large parts of the Reedswood area (which contains sensitive public open space areas, including Reedswood Town Park) within a so called 'Core Regeneration Area".
This will result in the loss of sensitive public open space areas from the Reedswood area. Walsall Council is encouraging damaging patterns of development within the local area, which will result in a shortage of public open space for local residents to enjoy, to help support more physically active healthy lifestyles.


On this basis, there is a compelling and robust case to designate the Pouk Hill green space as LGS on the main 'Policies Map' of the emerging Black Country Plan
(Review). This designation should be brought forward as a matter of urgency. I request the urgent removal of the Pouk Hill green space areas from the proposed
Core Regeneration Area'.

This is a signed residents petition by local residents who live on Pouk Hill Close, Reedswood, Walsall. As local residents living within Pouk Hill Close immediately
adjacent to the Pouk Hill natural green space area, we specifically request that:

1) Given its high level of green space sensitivity, the Pouk Hill Close green space site off Bentley Lane, Reedswood, Walsall should be fully removed from the 'Core Regeneration Area' designation as shown on page 499 of the emerging Black Country Plan (Review) (2021) Regulation 18 public consultation document - within the Figure 19: Walsall Spatial Strategy Plan (and other parts of the emerging Black Country Plan which identify this site as a Core Regeneration Area. Within the Figure 19 Plan (Walsall Spatial Strategy Plan) and on the main Policies Map of the emerging Black Country Plan
(BCP) (Review), the entire Pouk Hill green space area should be specifically designated as a 'Protected Public Open Space area' (see below).