Policy WSA3 – Land north of Stonnall Road, Aldridge

Object

Representation ID: 21420

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Ruppinder Hayer

OBJECTING TO PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS ON STONNALL ROAD (SITE REF WAH237,
WAH253)
Aldridge is a settled community with its own unique characteristics.
DESTRUCTION OF THE GREEN BELT
These proposals hand over swathes of green space and green belt. These sites provide valuable green space for residents. Given the climate emergency that the nation and the world face, it is not sustainable to develop valuable green space. The site is currently valuable agricultural land and should remain so.
The fields are currently ideal habitat for many animals, including hedgehogs, which are classified as vulnerable to extinction. Building on it would have a massive environmental impact and a significant effect on the local wildlife.

INCREASING CAPACITY ON PUBLIC SERVICES
Aldridge is already struggling with access to local services, schools, GPs. The two local primary schools Leighswood and Cooper & Jordan, are already oversubscribed, for instance.
Aldridge only has one supermarket, Morrison’s. The number of spaces at Morrison’s car park is limited, and during weekends and peak times, the car park is frequently full, with cars queuing on the Aldridge bypass. Further increasing Aldridge’s population would increase demand on the local shops, many of which were not designed to cater to this many people.

INCREASED ROAD CONGESTION
The proposals will increase traffic on the road network. Stonnall Road was not designed to be a well-used road. The road is well used by cyclists and horse riders who will be put in increased danger due to increased traffic levels. The road is already used as a “rat run” to and from Chester Road. The junction with Chester Road is a four-way junction. Vehicles turning from Stonnall Road
can often wait minutes until it is safe to enter Chester Road. There have been accidents at the junction in the past. The proposed developments would result in longer waiting times at the intersection and increase the danger to users.
One significant limitation of the road is a sharp blind corner near the proposed site. The width of the road means vehicles have to take the corner slowly, and there is only sufficient room for one large vehicle. Widening the road is not feasible since the road would encroach on the land of homeowners situated on the bend. The road had a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes.
Moreover, the road has a problem with speeding cars, further increasing the risk to residents.
After the bend, it is downhill, which causes the vast majority of vehicles to speed. Any development would pose a substantial safety risk to users of the road.
Any development would require significant upgrade works to both Stonnall Road and Lazy Hill Road, which would cause substantial disruption to residents and local businesses. The road has already had to be repaired/resurfaced numerous times in the last few years.
The congestion would not just be limited to Stonnall Road. Due to Aldridge's limited number of amenities, many residents have to travel to Walsall by travelling on Walsall Road. This would increase the risk of accidents, particularly involving pupils in and out of Aldridge School.

POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS
The development will negatively impact people's mental health due to noise and air pollution during construction and once completed. Many of the residents are elderly, some with pre-existing health conditions. This will cause undue stress on them and their families.
The proposals to extract sand and gravel from the proposed sites before development will result in the area becoming an industrial estate. This would significantly impact residents quality of life. The problems caused by gravel extraction at Branton Hill Road is evidence of what will likely happen to Stonnall Road.
Any housing development would also present more danger to the pupils attending Leighswood School, which is nearby.
The new houses will also cause loss of privacy and overshadowing on the nearby houses, negatively impacting residents.
The overwhelming majority of residents are against the proposed developments. The community will continue to oppose this unjustified development until the very end.

Object

Representation ID: 21421

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Jarnail Singh Hayer

OBJECTING TO PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS ON STONNALL ROAD (SITE REF WAH237,
WAH253)
Aldridge is a settled community with its own unique characteristics.
DESTRUCTION OF THE GREEN BELT
These proposals hand over swathes of green space and green belt. These sites provide valuable green space for residents. Given the climate emergency that the nation and the world face, it is not sustainable to develop valuable green space. The site is currently valuable agricultural land and should remain so.
The fields are currently ideal habitat for many animals, including hedgehogs, which are classified as vulnerable to extinction. Building on it would have a massive environmental impact and a significant effect on the local wildlife.

INCREASING CAPACITY ON PUBLIC SERVICES
Aldridge is already struggling with access to local services, schools, GPs. The two local primary schools Leighswood and Cooper & Jordan, are already oversubscribed, for instance.
Aldridge only has one supermarket, Morrison’s. The number of spaces at Morrison’s car park is limited, and during weekends and peak times, the car park is frequently full, with cars queuing on the Aldridge bypass. Further increasing Aldridge’s population would increase demand on the local shops, many of which were not designed to cater to this many people.

INCREASED ROAD CONGESTION
The proposals will increase traffic on the road network. Stonnall Road was not designed to be a well-used road. The road is well used by cyclists and horse riders who will be put in increased danger due to increased traffic levels. The road is already used as a “rat run” to and from Chester Road. The junction with Chester Road is a four-way junction. Vehicles turning from Stonnall Road
can often wait minutes until it is safe to enter Chester Road. There have been accidents at the junction in the past. The proposed developments would result in longer waiting times at the intersection and increase the danger to users.
One significant limitation of the road is a sharp blind corner near the proposed site. The width of the road means vehicles have to take the corner slowly, and there is only sufficient room for one large vehicle. Widening the road is not feasible since the road would encroach on the land of homeowners situated on the bend. The road had a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes.
Moreover, the road has a problem with speeding cars, further increasing the risk to residents.
After the bend, it is downhill, which causes the vast majority of vehicles to speed. Any development would pose a substantial safety risk to users of the road.
Any development would require significant upgrade works to both Stonnall Road and Lazy Hill Road, which would cause substantial disruption to residents and local businesses. The road has already had to be repaired/resurfaced numerous times in the last few years.
The congestion would not just be limited to Stonnall Road. Due to Aldridge's limited number of amenities, many residents have to travel to Walsall by travelling on Walsall Road. This would increase the risk of accidents, particularly involving pupils in and out of Aldridge School.

POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS
The development will negatively impact people's mental health due to noise and air pollution during construction and once completed. Many of the residents are elderly, some with pre-existing health conditions. This will cause undue stress on them and their families.
The proposals to extract sand and gravel from the proposed sites before development will result in the area becoming an industrial estate. This would significantly impact residents quality of life. The problems caused by gravel extraction at Branton Hill Road is evidence of what will likely happen to Stonnall Road.
Any housing development would also present more danger to the pupils attending Leighswood School, which is nearby.
The new houses will also cause loss of privacy and overshadowing on the nearby houses, negatively impacting residents.
The overwhelming majority of residents are against the proposed developments. The community will continue to oppose this unjustified development until the very end.

Object

Representation ID: 21741

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Paula Lucas

Number of people: 39

I wish to voice my VERY strong objections to the development of 400 houses on the Stonnall Road/ Lazyhill Road areas of Aldridge (WAH 237 + WAH253).

I have lived in Aldridge for 50+ years and I oppose the destruction of our very precious & beautiful green belt areas that surround us here in Aldridge.

Brownfield sites primarily should be identified and used BEFORE the destruction of any green belt areas and I understand that Walsall Council has recently purchased the old McKechnie Brass Works in Middlemore Lane Aldridge, a 6 Hectare site, could this not have been used for housing???

It's not environmentally friendly to build on green belt and destroy wildlife habitat, areas that local people have enjoyed for many, many years. During the recent pandemic it has highlighted even more the need for green open spaces for general health and mental wellbeing.

It will further increase traffic congestion, the building of 400 houses could increase the local car ownership by a similar number and more, all these additional cars would cause congestion on two very narrow lanes that lead to a very busy Chester Road. The two main roads effected ie Stonnall Road and Lazyhill Road lead to crossroads with the main Chester Road that already are hazadous and local accident black spots. This extra traffic could cause potential fatalites at these junctions. The number of extra cars will also add to the already increasing amounts of air pollution.
Current infrastruction does not lend itself to the increase in the number of houses on the scale that is planned. The local schools are all already over subscribed, not to mention Doctors, Dentists and healthcare needs for local residents are all already stretched to full capacity. I understand an argument for this has already been addressed. I attended the meeting on 1st October at The
Compass Suite, Aldridge and was informed by one of the Local Planning Officers there, that it your intention to build a new Primary School and Local Health Centre on the new sites earmarked, which for the same reasons I have already outlined would be catastrophic to the area.

If it is the intention to build a new school and health centre then the visitors to both of these would cause problems with access and parking.

Crime would increase. With our local Police Station in Aldridge closed to the public and the number of Police Officers already stretched to capacity this added demand on local resources simply would not cope.

Object

Representation ID: 22037

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr James Weall

Response to the Draft Black Country Plan

Document Reference- Strategic Allocation WSA3, Site WAH 237/WAH 235

I object to the proposal to build houses on the above site with a number of compelling reasons with significant evidence which must be taken into account.

Support

Representation ID: 22376

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: ROSCONN STRATEGIC LAND

RSL interests relate to Site Ref. WAH237, which we are promoting on behalf of the landowners and is proposed as a Strategic Allocation for approximately 363 new homes under Policy WSA3, being land north of Stonnall Road, Aldridge. RSL fully supports the proposed allocation of this site for residential purposes and re-confirm it is available, viable and suitable, and is deliverable within the first 5 years following the expected adoption of the BCP.

The context for the allocation is detailed within the General Spatial Strategy for Walsall, as detailed at Paragraphs C.17 to C.29. This recognises that the existing growth network does not have the capacity to accommodate all of the area’s need for new homes and jobs and as such, proposes a number of Neighbourhood Growth Areas (NGA) in highly sustainable locations close to the existing urban area that have good access to services. District Centres such as Aldridge, are identified as having a key role in helping drive forward the growth and regeneration of the borough outside of the strategic centres, whilst also accommodating housing growth to improve the vibrancy and health of these centres.

The associated Site Assessment for land north of Stonnall Road, Aldridge concludes that the site has few constraints and limited visual impact due to surrounding land uses and topography. RSL would concur with this overall assessment and agree that issues regarding improved infrastructure (e.g. drainage and highways) are not considered to be significant or otherwise unusual for a site of this scale and can be fully accommodated as part of the proposed development.

In respect of the associated Sustainability Assessment, the overall performance of the site is generally positive with major or minor positive impacts identified in respect of Housing, Health, Economy and Education and a neutral impact on Cultural Heritage, Climate Change Adaptation, Pollution and Equality. Mixed positive/negative impacts have been identified regarding Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Transport. Minor negative impacts are identified in respect of Natural Resources and Waste, with only a major negative impact identified for Landscape.

These findings are understood to have informed the Design Principles for Policy WSA3 in order to help further mitigate any potential adverse effects, and each of these are considered in further detail below:

1. Improvements to local facilities to support residents and enhance the sustainability of the existing area, in particular improved capacity at the primary school and local health centre – RSL confirm that financial contributions towards the upgrade of local facilities which are necessary to mitigate the impact of the proposed development of the site are agreeable in principle;

2. Investigation of and detailed proposals for remediation of contaminated land – whilst the available evidence does not indicate any former use other than agricultural that would give rise to any significant contamination issues, it is noted that the Site Assessment suggests previous agricultural uses may be an issue due to ‘fertilizer use, sewage sludge presence of heavy metals’. This is not considered to be particularly onerous and unlikely to raise any issues that cannot be addressed through appropriate assessment at the Development Management stage.

3. A transport strategy that includes widening to Stonnall Road for the extent of the site allocation and improves pedestrian access – RSL confirm this is deliverable as the full extent of the site frontage lies adjacent to the public highway and there is scope to widen the carriageway and provide a pedestrian footway that can tie in to the existing pedestrian footway along the northern side of Stonnall Road to the west.

4. Develop a site-wide Sustainable Drainage Strategy to ensure that drainage requirements can be met on site and are designed to deliver landscape, biodiversity and amenity benefits – whilst a detailed drainage strategy has yet to be progressed, the Concept Framework Plan (as enclosed with these representations) has been developed to incorporate a sustainable drainage strategy that works with the site topography and in combination with the proposed structural landscaping along the north eastern boundary of the site, which will help mitigate landscape impact, whilst maximising biodiversity net gain and amenity space for the benefit of both existing and future residents.

5. Develop a strategy for landscape and habitat creation that provides enhancement, retention and mitigation for established trees and hedges, to ensure there is no significant adverse impact on visual amenity and character or on protected animal species – as above, with reference to the accompanying Concept Framework Plan prepared by Define Urban Design and Landscape Architects, the vision for the site is to create a new rural edge to this part of Aldridge. This will comprise a significant structural landscape fringe to the north eastern boundary of the site, with tree planting and retention and management of existing hedges, alongside fingers of green space to break up areas of built form into smaller neighborhoods set within a rural setting. This will help to assimilate the development into the landscape and secure a softer settlement edge on the entrance to the town from the east. Such measures will also provide the opportunity to enhance the biodiversity credentials of the site, compared to the current intensively farmed landscape.

6. The site is in a MSA and requires prior extraction where practical and environmentally feasible. Where practical and environmentally feasible prior extraction for bedrock and superficial sand and gravel, shall take place – this issue effects the majority of sites within the borough and were this to be a precluding factor, it would significantly impact on the ability for the area to achieve its future housing and economic growth aspirations so should be seen in this context. Notwithstanding, this does not necessarily mean that any potential mineral resources that may exist at this specific site cannot be extracted prior to development and this requirement is a pragmatic solution and is an issue that can therefore be dealt with at the Development Management stage. In principle therefore, RSL accept this requirement and agree to an assessment being undertaken at the appropriate time to investigate the potential for such minerals to be present, and the practicality or otherwise of prior extraction in light of all environmental considerations.

Support

Representation ID: 22420

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Maurice Sanders

Agent: Avison Young

Black Country Plan 2039 – Draft (Regulation 18) Consultation
Representations of Barnardo’s – Land south of Stonnall Road, Aldridge

Avison Young (‘AY’) is instructed by Barnardo’s to prepare and submit representations to the Draft
Black Country Plan (Regulation 18) consultation (‘Draft Plan Consultation’). Barnardo’s controls
land south of Stonnall Road, Aldridge (‘the site’), edged red on the Site Location Plan attached to
these representations at Appendix I.
Barnardo’s has reviewed the Black Country Authorities’ (‘BCA’) consultation document and wishes
to make representations on it. This letter should, therefore, be taken as Barnardo’s’
comprehensive response to the consultation. It should be read alongside the completed response
form that we have provided as part of the representations.
In particular, our Client welcomes the Draft Plan’s recognition that the site can, and should, deliver
a development that is capable of materially contributing to Walsall, and the Black Country’s
housing requirements. In this respect, Policy HOU1 (site ref. WAH253) allocates the site for 38
dwellings.
Notwithstanding the support for the site’s allocation, these representations made by Barnardo’s
make a number of observations on the policies contained within the Draft Plan and the emerging
evidence base that underpins the draft policies and allocations contained in the Plan.
With these introductory points in mind, the remainder of our submission goes on to:
• describe our Client’s site;
• provide our Client’s response to the Draft Plan consultation; and
• summarises the key points arising and set out our overarching conclusions.
We address each of the above in turn.

Site Background and Context
The site comprises two parcels of land which, together, cover approximately 5.1 ha. The northern
development parcel extends to approximately 3.8 ha and consists of arable farmland. The south-
western parcel comprises a vacant area of hard standing, with a buffer of mature trees and
vegetation on its northern and western boundaries. This parcel is the subject of a Tree
Preservation Order (Walsall Tree Preservation Order No. 14). In between the parcels lies Richmond
Hall Care Home.
To the north, the site is bound by Stonnall Road, with residential uses located beyond this. To the
west and east, the site is surrounded by mainly agricultural pasture land, with Druids Heath Golf
Club located to the south.
The site is located approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) south east of Lazy Hill District Centre, which
contains a range of facilities including a pharmacy, foodstore, takeaways / restaurants and a
hairdresser. Aldridge Town Centre, which contains a wider range of facilities and employment
opportunities is located approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km) south west of the site. The nearest health
centre / GP and primary school are located 1.0 miles (1.6km) south west and 0.7 miles (1.2km)
west of the site respectively.
Bus stops are located directly opposite the site along Stonnall Road and are served by route 35A
which provides frequent services to Walsall.
Response to Draft Plan Consultation
We set out below our comments of relevant policies identified in the Draft Plan and respond
accordingly to ensure that it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national
planning policy. Responses are only provided to the subject matters which Barnardo’s consider
are the most critical issues and are most relevant to the proposals to allocate its land at Stonnall
Road, in Aldridge for residential development.

Policy GB1 – The Black Country Green Belt

Our Client’s site is well contained, will with well
defined, defensible boundaries on its eastern, southern and western sides (i.e. the Druids Heath
Golf Club access road to the west, the Golf Club to the south and farm buildings and other
residential dwellings to the east).

Policy DEL1 – Infrastructure Provision

With respect to our Client’s site, we note that Table 31 of the Draft Plan suggests that the
development of the site could deliver:
• Footpaths to serve the development and provision for a controlled / uncontrolled pedestrian
crossing on Stonnall Road; and
• On site provision or funding for off-site arrangements to improve access to a primary school
and local health centre.
In terms of any necessary infrastructure required in Aldridge or the wider Black Country, we note
that paragraph 4.5 of the Draft Plan states that the Plan will be supported by an Infrastructure
Delivery Plan, however we cannot locate this within the evidence base the BCA have published on
the Black Country Plan website. We would be grateful to have sight of this document if it is publicly
available, in order that we can review and comment on it.

Housing Allocations

Our Client welcomes the Draft Plan’s recognition that the site can, and should, deliver a
development that is capable of materially contributing to Walsall, and the Black Country’s housing
requirements. In this respect, Policy HOU1 (site ref. WAH253) allocates the site for 38 dwellings.
In order for the Draft Plan to be sound it must provide a clear strategy for bringing sufficient land
forward, and at a sufficient rate, to address objectively assessed needs over the Plan period.
Because the Council must also identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites
sufficient to provide a minimum of five years’ worth of housing against its housing requirement,
the Draft Plan is also required to identify specific, deliverable sites for years one to five of the plan
period and then sufficient developable sites, or broad areas of growth, for the remainder of the
plan period.
The Glossary to the NPPF defines ‘deliverable’ sites as being available now, offering a suitable
location for development. In order for a site to be considered ‘developable’ it should be in a
suitable location for housing development with a reasonable prospect that it will be available and
could be viably developed at the point envisaged.
Barnardo’s welcomes the Draft Plan’s proposals to allocate its site at Stonnall Road for residential
development. The site is available, offers a suitable location for development and is achievable
with a realistic prospect of delivering housing within the first five years of the plan period.
Chapter 13 provides details of the number of dwellings that could be delivered on each site that
is proposed to be allocated for housing. It suggests that land south of Stonnall Road, Aldridge is
capable of delivering 38 dwellings, assuming a net density of 35 dph, lower than the minimum net
densities prescribed in Policy HOU2. There is, therefore, every possibility that the site is capable of delivering more than 38 dwellings. In Barnard’s view, Policy HOU1 (Table 31) should be amended
so that it enables the final capacity of the site to be informed by masterplanning and other
technical work submitted with any planning application, rather then being pre-determined in the
allocation, which has not been based on any robust evidence.
Our Client would therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss its proposals in more detail with
Officers to determine whether this is an acceptable approach.
Conclusion
These representations have been prepared by Avison Young, on behalf of Barnardo’s, in response
to the Draft Black Country Plan Regulation 18 consultation document.
These representations are intended to form a robust evidence base upon which an allocation in
the Black Country Plan can be found sound at Examination stage. The inclusion of land south of
Stonnall Road and its acknowledgement by the Council as a viable site is supported. The site
remains available and could be delivered as a sustainable development opportunity in the short
term (0-5 years) to help ensure that the Black Country Authorities are able to meet their objectively
assessed housing needs in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF.
Accordingly, it is requested that the Council continue to support the allocation of land south of
Stonnall Road, Aldridge through the remainder of the plan making process.

[See Map 1 Attachment]

Object

Representation ID: 23122

Received: 27/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Ian Batchelor

Number of people: 20

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 23396

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: West Midlands CPRE

Agent: Gerald Kells

WAM237 (WSA 3) Walsall Aldridge
This site is a Mineral Safeguarding Area so would require prior extraction. It is at the very edge of the conurbation with no clear boundary towards Lichfield. Further land beyond the site is also identified as an MSA so this site would be potentially vulnerable to further housing development. There is limited bus access nearby (Hourly 35a) and extending into the site may not be viable or desirable.
Green Belt assessment in Land Use Consultants’ 2019 Green Belt Study - Moderate (but Very High in MSA Area beyond)

Object

Representation ID: 43943

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Yvonne Thorp

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 43945

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Hayley Shutts

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 43947

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Beta Mason

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 43949

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Daniel Batchelor

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 43951

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Lucy Batchelor

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 43953

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs W Methley

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 43955

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs Bilgimer

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 44741

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs Henderson

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 44743

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs Kempson

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 44745

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs Collins

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 44747

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Myles Chattwood

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 44749

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Sarah Metcalf

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 44751

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs Machin

object against the "Walsall growth targets for housing and employment land allocations", specifically the North Aldridge and Walsall Wood green belt Land including the Lazy Hill Road, Chester Road and Stonnal area of Aldridge. The proposal to remove sites from the green belt listing further diminishes our green and pleasant land surrounding Aldridge. It seem criminal to take more green land from this area when brown belt can be used outside of a rural village known for its green spaces

Object

Representation ID: 45750

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: WAH237 & 253 Group Response

Number of people: 29

I wish to voice my VERY strong objections to the development of 400 houses on the Stonnall Road/ Lazyhill Road areas of Aldridge (WAH 237 + WAH253).

I have lived in Aldridge for 50+ years and I oppose the destruction of our very precious & beautiful green belt areas that surround us here in Aldridge.

Brownfield sites primarily should be identified and used BEFORE the destruction of any green belt areas and I understand that Walsall Council has recently purchased the old McKechnie Brass Works in Middlemore Lane Aldridge, a 6 Hectare site, could this not have been used for housing???

It's not environmentally friendly to build on green belt and destroy wildlife habitat, areas that local people have enjoyed for many, many years. During the recent pandemic it has highlighted even more the need for green open spaces for general health and mental wellbeing.

It will further increase traffic congestion, the building of 400 houses could increase the local car ownership by a similar number and more, all these additional cars would cause congestion on two very narrow lanes that lead to a very busy Chester Road. The two main roads effected ie Stonnall Road and Lazyhill Road lead to crossroads with the main Chester Road that already are hazadous and local accident black spots. This extra traffic could cause potential fatalites at these junctions. The number of extra cars will also add to the already increasing amounts of air pollution.
Current infrastruction does not lend itself to the increase in the number of houses on the scale that is planned. The local schools are all already over subscribed, not to mention Doctors, Dentists and healthcare needs for local residents are all already stretched to full capacity. I understand an argument for this has already been addressed. I attended the meeting on 1st October at The
Compass Suite, Aldridge and was informed by one of the Local Planning Officers there, that it your intention to build a new Primary School and Local Health Centre on the new sites earmarked, which for the same reasons I have already outlined would be catastrophic to the area.

If it is the intention to build a new school and health centre then the visitors to both of these would cause problems with access and parking.

Crime would increase. With our local Police Station in Aldridge closed to the public and the number of Police Officers already stretched to capacity this added demand on local resources simply would not cope.