Policy GB1 – The Black Country Green Belt

Object

Representation ID: 13198

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Patricia Jones

object to greenbelt land being used for new housing

Support

Representation ID: 13210

Received: 24/09/2021

Respondent: Bob Homer

Number of people: 2

To Whom it may concern

I support the Councils continued protection of greenbelt in Halesowen, Illey, Lapal, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Foxcote & Lutley.

Preserving our history and landscape is part of our Black Country identity. Preserving our nature and wildlife, is part of our Black Country future, and has never played a more important role in climate change and mental health.

I particularly support the proposed SINC addition to Coombeswood. I’d also encourage adding Ancient Woodland to parts of this site.

Kind Regards

Robert and Annette Homer

Support

Representation ID: 13218

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: mr alan conway

To Whom It May Concern

Please acknowledge receipt of this email.

I support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.

Circa 1989, Dudley Council, following a previous Green Belt review, improved the Public Rights of Way network in these areas, by working in collaboration with local volunteer groups. Following on from that, the Council promoted enjoyment of this countryside, by the public, for informal recreation. They supported the production of walk leaflets explaining the historic, landscape and ecological significance of each area.

The Council even contributed £20,000 towards The Woodland Trust purchasing Uffmoor Wood, despite this being just outside the Borough Boundary and coming under Bromsgrove. In doing so, they appreciated the important relationship between this ancient coppice woodland and neighbouring farmland, including Tack Farm, which is the site of a former Anglo-Saxon mill (Notwic Mill).

This countryside, protected by Green Belt designation, is rich in history. At Lapal and Illey are the remains of Halesowen Abbey, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Importance. At Lutley we have a Conservation Area associated with historic Lutley Mill and the green lane that links it to the mediaeval hamlet of Lutley, which was once held by the Canons of Wolverhampton. Foxcote, which forms the foreground setting of the Iron Age Fort on Wychbury Hill and historically is linked to it, is archaeologically rich with frequent finds of flint arrow heads, flint scrapers, axes and other tools. It was the site of ancient hunting summer camps, and, in part, this explains the wide scatter of historic ‘finds’.

The countryside, hereby defined, is important to people from far afield, and, within the wider landscape, encompasses the famed and beautiful Clent Hills, a major area of which is owned and managed by the National Trust. We must also consider the Hagley Hall Estate, which includes a major proportion of Wychbury Hill, the importance of which was acknowledged in the 18th Century, by George Lyttelton, in his creation of Hagley Park, which is now a Grade 1 Listed Garden. On Wychbury Hill are two significant ‘follies’ - The Temple of Theseus and The Obelisk, tastefully exploiting the landscape prominence of the hill and the presence of the fort.

The whole of this area, including that within Dudley Borough, is of regional importance as an amenity asset for the welfare of, and enjoyment by, a large population. It would be so simple to seriously damage the area with inappropriate developments and associated infrastructure

Kind regards

Alan Conway

Sent from my Huawei phone

Object

Representation ID: 13237

Received: 03/10/2021

Respondent: Ms and Mr Lucy and Paul Harrington and Cicerella

Number of people: 2

I object to all of it, mostly the housing development sites to be built on green belt land. I object to the building on of the sites - Homes Farm (Sandhill), Yieldfields Farm (Bloxwich), Queslett Road East/ Aldridge Road (Streetly), Sutton Road/ Longwood Lane (Pheasey Park Farm), Yorks Bridge (Pelsall), Coronation Road/ Mob Lane (Aldridge North/ Walsall Wood), Calderfields/ Aldridge Road (St Matthews), Bentley Lane (Short Heath), Johnsons Farm, Meadow Farm/ Watling Street (Brownhills)
The reason I object - I think we should be preserving what little there is of green belt land, not destroying by building houses on it. There's no denying we are destroying the world and and acts like this are not helping. I strongly oppose it on ecological grounds, there's no counting how many animals (including bugs and insects) homes will get destroyed in the process and how bad the knock on effect will be for wildlife.
Also I am completely opposed to the cutting down of healthy trees for the same reasons above.
People who do these kind of things have no respect for the life they are destroying why is it never a consideration. I cannot explain enough how against this I am

Object

Representation ID: 13252

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Patricia Newman

Green belt matters is is already disappearing, we are continually being informed of what we should do to stop it happening. My concern is the huge number of homes being built on there. My worry is the wild life being affected, the disruption on the roads with more vehicles.

Other needs such as schools, doctors would possibly needed to be provided for.

We need to save the green belt before its too late. So why aren't we building on brown sites first

Object

Representation ID: 13273

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Audrey Bown

We wish to register our objections to the above Black Country Plan and the proposed development of Greenbelt land.
We feel there is enough Brownfield Land and old Industrial Sites to accommodate housing targets within Walsall without the destruction of precious Greenbelt land.... r> The proposed development would significantly harm the openness of the green belt which is an integral part of the character and landscape. Loss of the existing views and both privacy and overlooking would adversely affect the residential amenity of neighbouring owners.
We also feel that the Greenbelt land contributes to the quality of the adjacent Arboretum which directly overlooks the open fields with it's grazing animals and forrns an essential part of the setting of the Arboretum, which is Walsall's flagship park and conservation area. We need to protect the towns few exceptional assets.
We are also concerned on the impact it will have on the local wildlife. The development site itself is known to have the protected species of [Redacted-sensitive information].
The development site would sit in the middle of the Arboretum, Arboretum extension, Park Lime Pits and Hayhead (SNICs) which would destroy wildlife corridors and light overspill may negatively impact the [Redacted-sensitive information] and other wildlife causing destruction of habitats.
We also have concerns for the preservation of the 'protected' trees which form part of the development and the potential damage from heavy excavation equipment on the root systems.
It is also known that both the Arboretum and the Aldridge Road have a history of flooding and concreting over the countryside will exasperate this.
There is also the question of access to and from this site. The local infrastructure (roads, schools etc) will not cater to the extra population and vehicles, plus the proposed development would surely offer poor levels of security and would raise a fear of crime in the area.
Finally the pandemic has taught us the value of this open space to the health and mental wellbeing of Walsall residents. The footfall across the arboretum and all our green space has increased dramatically. Don't take away our irreplaceable green space.
[Redacted-GDPR]. I feel very privileged to live here. We must preserve green spaces for our well being, wildlife and future generations

Object

Representation ID: 13293

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Sandra Painter

My objection is about the building of homes on our green belt, why when there must be many brownfield sites to build on.

My concerns are not only for the wild life. There will be many more vehicles on the roads causing havoc, not enough places in schools which are in short supply now. Doctors of which there not enough

Comment

Representation ID: 13321

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Elaina Gorman

There is so much brownfield land and abandoned properties and shops all over the Black Country area that it is not appropriate to use any greenbelt unless all of these sites have been redeveloped, it is going against all promises that have been made by the government and will only damage the environment further when we are trying to be greener. All new housing should also be built with this in mind and any redevelopment - solar pane;, the new green boilers etc. We need more greenbelt not less and should be looking at more innovative ways to achieve this. There is already lots of localised flooding in our area which will only increase if we get rid of more greenbelt. The shops aren't coming back these to develop city living for 2 or 3 storeys high only with green areas and comfy aids ti encourage a sense of community amongst neighbours and to support those businesses that are still there and trying to survive.

Support

Representation ID: 13333

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Alice Freer

Black Country Plan - Support for the Protection of Green Belt Around Halesowen

I support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.

Circa 1989, Dudley Council, following a previous Green Belt review, improved the Public Rights of Way network in these areas, by working in collaboration with local volunteer groups. Following on from that, the Council promoted enjoyment of this countryside, by the public, for informal recreation. They supported the production of walk leaflets explaining the historic, landscape and ecological significance of each area.

The Council even contributed £20,000 towards The Woodland Trust purchasing Uffmoor Wood, despite this being just outside the Borough Boundary and coming under Bromsgrove. In doing so, they appreciated the important relationship between this ancient coppice woodland and neighbouring farmland, including Tack Farm, which is the site of a former Anglo-Saxon mill (Notwic Mill).

This countryside, protected by Green Belt designation, is rich in history. At Lapal and Illey are the remains of Halesowen Abbey, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Importance. At Lutley we have a Conservation Area associated with historic Lutley Mill and the green lane that links it to the mediaeval hamlet of Lutley, which was once held by the Canons of Wolverhampton. Foxcote, which forms the foreground setting of the Iron Age Fort on Wychbury Hill and historically is linked to it, is archaeologically rich with frequent finds of flint arrow heads, flint scrapers, axes and other tools. It was the site of ancient hunting summer camps, and, in part, this explains the wide scatter of historic ‘finds’.

The countryside, hereby defined, is important to people from far afield, and, within the wider landscape, encompasses the famed and beautiful Clent Hills, a major area of which is owned and managed by the National Trust. We must also consider the Hagley Hall Estate, which includes a major proportion of Wychbury Hill, the importance of which was acknowledged in the 18th Century, by George Lyttelton, in his creation of Hagley Park, which is now a Grade 1 Listed Garden. On Wychbury Hill are two significant ‘follies’ - The Temple of Theseus and The Obelisk, tastefully exploiting the landscape prominence of the hill and the presence of the fort.

The whole of this area, including that within Dudley Borough, is of regional importance as an amenity asset for the welfare of, and enjoyment by, a large population. It would be so simple to seriously damage the area with inappropriate developments and associated infrastructure.

Kind Regards
Alice Freer

Comment

Representation ID: 13365

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr and Mrs Margaret and William Potter

Number of people: 2

Will any land be converted to Green Belt status to balance that being removed and to prevent urban sprawl?

Walsall has a high percentage of Green Belt land in relation to other Black Country authorities which makes it an attractive area to live in. However, once it is lost to urban sprawl it is lost forever. During the pandemic the Green Belt provided a lifeline for many families and therefore it should be cherished and wherever possible new homes should be constructed, with government assistance, on brownfield sites which are abundant in our area.

Object

Representation ID: 13443

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cllr Aftab Nawaz

6. The need for housing on Greenbelt / Green Spaces is unnecessary and not required
The reasons given for including this, and other, greenbelt or green spaces for development is that there is a lack of housing and all other options for land have been exhausted. I do not accept this and it is my view that there is more than a sufficient amount of land available outside of greenbelt land for housing development. Former industrial and, brownfield land and indeed town centre developments should be considered and I am not convinced that these have been given serious consideration. The value of the Greenbelt cannot be monetarised as its benefit is beyond financial considerations. Indeed it seems that the planners who have drawn up these unacceptable proposals and indeed the potential developers ‘know the price of everything and the value of nothing’. It is my submission that the process of finding alternative land for development has not been exhausted and therefore these proposals should be withdrawn.

Object

Representation ID: 13468

Received: 30/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Doreen Clifton

Now that we have left the E.U. I would have thought that it is most essential that we hold on to as much agricultural land as possible. Surely it is possible to build enough houses on non agricultural land.
Renaging on promises of designated green belt is betraying this country's wild life yet again.
How can we have any faith in this country's politicians when they constantly give in to money making business men whose only thought is how much money they can make.
The future is what we should be looking after. Once our agricultural land is built on it is gone forever.
God save our beloved country from these money making traitors

Object

Representation ID: 13485

Received: 23/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Caron Baker

We need green spaces for mental wellbeing. The past 18 months have proved the benefits of being out in the fresh air.

Support

Representation ID: 13573

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Barbara Pritchard

All brownfield sites should be built on before considering building on green belt.

A456 Manor Way Halesowen is a very obvious boundary of the built up area.
Any consideration of building on the south side of this road should be denied.
Any relaxation of this will be used to justify extensive building on beautiful and historic land.

Comment

Representation ID: 13583

Received: 27/10/2021

Respondent: Lanpro Services

Comments on Specific Policies
Policy CSP1 - Development Strategy and Policy GB1 - The Black Country Green Belt
For both these policies, the introduction of a caveat is necessary, to stipulate that whilst the general principle that inappropriate
development in the Green Belt will be resisted, this would not be the case where Very Special Circumstances exist. For Policy CSP1 ,
additional wording to point '2e' should be added to cover this. For Policy GB1, similar wording should be added to point '3'. Clarity on
National Policy requirements in this regard is important to guide decision makers in applying the policy.

Support

Representation ID: 13707

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Linda Conway

I support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.

Object

Representation ID: 13741

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr James Whitworth

Loss of greenbelt - Proposed sites are on greenbelt land which will result in loss of wildlife and urban sprawl - local residents will lose green spaces that are essential to health and well being.

Object

Representation ID: 13768

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Denise Morgan

To meet the current ongoing housing needs NO green belt areas should be used. These areas are vital in so many ways - people's wellbeing/ mental health - environmental issues - losing green belt areas affects so many things in so many ways. Large housing estates just produce cold regimental areas with little or no character.
People need and want to be able to see and enjoy our green belt areas.
Building large new estates does not always fix the housing problem/ shortage - can also create unnecessary problems, e.g traffic problems, education needs etc.
PRIORITY needs to be given to the numerous brown belt situated around the area

Object

Representation ID: 13810

Received: 26/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Joyce Shakeshaft

Objecting to the development on Green belt land

Support

Representation ID: 13817

Received: 02/10/2021

Respondent: Lisa Durnall

I support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor,
Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.
Circa 1989, Dudley Council, following a previous Green Belt review, improved the Public Rights of Way network in these areas, by working in collaboration with local volunteer groups. Following on from that, the Council promoted enjoyment of this countryside, by the public, for informal recreation. They supported the production of walk leaflets explaining the historic, landscape and
ecological significance of each area.
The Council even contributed [redacted] towards The Woodland Trust purchasing Uffmoor Wood, despite this being just outside the Borough Boundary and coming under Bromsgrove. In doing so, they appreciated the important relationship between this ancient coppice woodland and neighbouring farmland, including Tack Farm, which is the site of a former Anglo-Saxon mill (Notwic Mill).
This countryside, protected by Green Belt designation, is rich in history. At Lapal and Illey are the remains of Halesowen Abbey, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Importance. At Lutley we have a Conservation Area associated with historic Lutley Mill and the green lane that links it to the mediaeval hamlet of Lutley, which was once held by the Canons of Wolverhampton.
Foxcote, which forms the foreground setting of the Iron Age Fort on Wychbury Hill and historically is linked to it, is archaeologically rich [redacted]. It was the site of ancient hunting summer camps, and, in part, this explains the wide scatter of historic ‘finds’.
The countryside, hereby defined, is important to people from far afield, and, within the wider landscape, encompasses the famed and beautiful Clent Hills, a major area of which is owned and managed by the National Trust. We must also consider the Hagley Hall Estate, which includes a major proportion of Wychbury Hill, the importance of which was acknowledged in the 18th Century, by George Lyttelton, in his creation of Hagley Park, which is now a Grade 1 Listed Garden. On Wychbury Hill are two significant ‘follies’ - The Temple of Theseus and The Obelisk, tastefully exploiting the landscape prominence of the hill and the presence of the fort.
The whole of this area, including that within Dudley Borough, is of regional importance as an amenity asset for the welfare of, and enjoyment by, a large population. It would be so simple to seriously damage the area with inappropriate developments and associated infrastructure.

Comment

Representation ID: 13838

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Living Space Housing Ltd

It is important that the new Green Belt boundary is drawn in a way that honours the 5 Green Belt purposes, as defined by the NPPF.

Living Space support the inclusion of point a. As the promoter for proposed allocation WOH264, a current Green Belt site, Living Space will engage with the Council in discussions regarding the compensatory improvements to seek clarification on this. At this time, it is not clear what this entails.

Whilst Living Space recognise the intension behind compensatory improvements, the Councils should ensure that the viability of this is tested and that it does not compromise the deliverability of the proposed allocations.

Object

Representation ID: 13847

Received: 08/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Richard Taylor

Objection to the proposed green belt boundary. No sites mentioned.

Object

Representation ID: 13851

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Jane Ashman

I write in connection to the above which is currently under consultation and the proposal to build 533 high value houses on green belt land.

The proposed development does not adhere to NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) i.e, 'The Triangle' is within designated Green Belt. Inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances. No justification of evidence of any exceptional circumstances have been provided. Building on Green Belt land is a gradual erosion of green belt boundaries.

Object

Representation ID: 13873

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Barbara Davis

Number of people: 2

Today, I discovered that there is a plan to build 5,500 properties on Green Belt areas.
I am utterly shocked, ANGRY, sad, and dismayed.
I have lived in Shelfield for 30yrs plus and now have reached retirement.
We picked Shelfield as a home to bring our children up as there was an abundance of green open spaces for them to explore where they learnt to respect and learn about nature. We lived opposite an urban forest where our children and friends spent many happy days building dens and the neighbours children played cricket.
they will carry these memories for the rest of their lives.
In the future there should be more green belt area for everyone to enjoy. THAT IS WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT. Who decided that green belt areas are to be built on HOW DARE THEY!
new homes are needed - yes, but they can be built on Brown belt areas.
There is too much Toxins in the atmosphere already and the plans that is proposed is absolutely Madness you cannot go around bulldozing green belt areas and not expect DIRE consequences.
I say EMPHATICALLY NO to destroying green areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 13914

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Janet Bayliss

Loss of green belt and hedgerows around Holbeache would mean loss of wildlife e.g. owls, buzzards, red kites, bats and also butterflies and bees.
Light pollution will increase.
Building work will create noise, traffic, visual and smell for a long time. Chemicals will be released during construction.
The greenbelt SHOULD be protected.

Object

Representation ID: 13923

Received: 26/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Mark Shakeshaft

Objecting to the development on Green belt land

Object

Representation ID: 13929

Received: 01/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Liz Tilly

I’ve had a quick look at the plan – I appreciate the dilemma of the need for growth v protecting the greenbelt. But please don’t nibble away at the greenbelt as when its gone its gone! Pleased to see sustainability and environmental awareness at its heart. Didn’t read the whole plan but hope lots of investment in retrofitting poor quality and low insulated social housing.

Object

Representation ID: 14003

Received: 01/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Lorraine Furness

I strongly oppose the release of Green Belt land for development as detailed in the BCP up to and including 2039, specifically within the Dudley MBC area but across the 4 Black Country Councils and indeed land offered in support by South Staffs Council, who seem to be targetting their boundaries adjoining both Dudley & Wolverhampton.

A successful campaign to save the 7 Cornfields, with land in both South Staffs and Wolverhampton was mounted earlier in the process and thankfully this piece of land has not been allocated. However the risk as not gone away and therefore I feel that a case should be made to protect all Green Belt. Allocating, what is I except a small amount of GB land, does set a precedent for future developemnt spread onto our precious GB, destroying our eco systems and habitats and taking away swaths of beautiful countryside for generations to come. In addition these urban extensions are putting extra demand on already stretched services, such as hospitals, GP surgeries, schools and transport links, with no apparent plan to address these issues.

In summary, the current plan and strategy that underpins it needs to carefully consider the need to release any GB land and de-allocate those GB sites within the plan before any planning consideratiosn are made, saving time and money on a flawed policy.

Support

Representation ID: 14026

Received: 03/10/2021

Respondent: Lynne Foster

I support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor,
Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.

Support

Representation ID: 14035

Received: 02/10/2021

Respondent: Lynsey & Simon Mills

Number of people: 2

I support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.