Comment

Representation ID: 23469

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Birchills Agenda 21 Group

Number of people: 339

Paragraph 185 of the Revised NPPF (July 2021) states that planning policies should take into account the likely effects of pollution on health. This is relevant given that
Walsall Council is encouraging the re-development of critically important "urban green space lungs" on the edge of the M6 motorway network. Notably, Pouk Hill
woodland green space and the urban green space bordering Churchill Road.

In accordance with central Government (London) national planning guidance in paragraph 174 (indent e) of the Revised National Planning Policy lung containing areas of mature and semi-mature broadleaved woodland
it therefore helps to mitigate the effects of very fine particulate harmful air pollution from the heavily congested M6 motorway network. By helping to filter-out, remove and reduce harmful levels of air pollution from vehicular traffic using the adjacent congested M6 motorway network, this urban green space area therefore helps to play a fundamental role in helping to protect the
health of thousands of local residents living within the wider Reedswood area.

As local residents, we have a fundamental Legal right to 'Clean Air'. This Legal Right is supported within the European Convention on Human Rights (The Human Rights Act) and should therefore be identified and respected within the emerging Black Country Plan (Review). On this basis, the Pouk Hill green space area 'Urban Green Lung Air Quality Enhancement Benefits'
should therefore be specifically identified and shown as an 'Urban Green Lung Air Quality Enhancement' designation on the main Policies Map of the emerging Black Country Plan (BCP) (Review). This special designation should also cover the area of urban green space located on the opposite side of the M6 motorway network, bordering the Jane Lane Primary School and
Churchill Road. These important urban green space buffers on both sides of the M6 are critically important to the health and well-being of thousands of local residents for the reasons explained above.