Object

Representation ID: 46070

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Rachel Bolger

Summary: Object to proposed housing allocation at Brandhall Golf Course - contrary to England Trees Action Plan, Forestry Commission Guidance, Sandwell's Green Space Audit, Sandwell's Urban Tree Policy, National BNG objectives, local biodiversity objectives conatined within the adopted local plan and the Black Country AQMA

Changes to plan: Agreed that housing delivery and meeting housing need is imperative across the Black country but not at the detriment of Community Green Lungs. GB release is inevitable and provided this is sustainable and on edge of settlement boundaries, this is a preferable option to the redevelopment of green spaces within heavily built up urban areas which the surrounding community benefit from. Brandhall Golf Course has been left to re-wild since its closure, consistent with the governments approach to 'rewilding Britain'. Tree planting is also on the governments agenda via England Trees Action Plan to increase tree coverage within coming years. There is no way that this site can be developed and the trees retained given the existing levels and groundwork involved. The UK is also one of the worst performing countries in terms of its biodiversity value https://www.endsreport.com/article/1716204/uk-worst-nature-protection-among-g7 and losing this site is contrary to increasing biodiversity across the Black Country and will not accord with the forthcoming environment plan. Brandhall golf course performs not only an ecological and aesthetic function for the surrounding, largely deprived, areas of housing but also performs as an area of recreation and provides and escape for nearby residents assisting with mental well-being. Development of this site does not accord with the Government's BROWNFIELD FIRST POLICY nor many of the adopted policies within the current Black Country Core Strategy