Policy WSA6 – Land off Sutton Road, Longwood Lane, Walsall

Object

Representation ID: 10606

Received: 23/08/2021

Respondent: Miss Emma Whitehouse

Area of land sits behind my mother's property where I will be a resident shortly. Building houses on this land will cause a detrimental effect on the price of the property on Sutton Road. Will this be covered by the planning and design department when the land becomes used?
The area is a designated SLINC which should be protected from damaging development by local and national planning policy. How would building a new housing estate of >200 houses protect this land?

Object

Representation ID: 10615

Received: 24/08/2021

Respondent: Mr David Smith

I object to the use of this land as sites of local importance for nature conservation should be protected and use of this land for housing allocation would be detrimental to neighbouring green belt and SLINC areas.

Object

Representation ID: 10620

Received: 25/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Jag Khera

The traffic congestion around Longwood Lane and Sutton Road is already at a very high level, with a significant number of RTA's. Both roads are link roads used heavily for commuting, industry, businesses and schools. The Heavy Goods Vehicle and school traffic is already of particular concern. To place a further burden on this is very irresponsible.
The area is also home to wonderful wildlife and is a designated SLINC. These areas are more important than ever !

Comment

Representation ID: 10735

Received: 17/08/2021

Respondent: Dr Judith King

Suggestions in order of preference/importance!

This land runs along the eastern side of the Rushall Canal and at the moment there's a high hedge/ row of trees between the canal and the land in question. Please could the hedge be left in place and development occur behind it? A lot of people walk along the canal and at the moment that whole stretch feels pleasantly rural, with the Walsall Country Park on the opposite side. Preserving the hedge will preserve the amenity value of the canal and will also benefit biodiversity and the environment.

It is a tall hedge and hopefully would completely screen the new buildings from the canal- providing they don't build blocks of flats.

Better still, if possible: on the eastern side of the hedge there is a narrow strip of land and then a footpath which runs parallel to the canal and continues up towards Hay Head Wood. Whitethroat nest in the scrub between the canal and the footpath. If possible, could development be restricted to the eastern side of the footpath, to preserve the footpath and the narrow strip of grass/scrubland?

Even better, there's a handful of big old trees in the middle of the area in question. I just wonder whether it might be possible to preserve them, or some of them, as part of a "green strip" in the new estate? Could improve the amenity of the estate and would also help to keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Object

Representation ID: 10928

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Mr J Fox

Number of people: 2

Re- Policy WSA6 - Land off Sutton Road, Longwood Lane, Walsall

We are very disappointed to learn of the proposed plans to build houses on WAH231 at some time in the future

Our West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, has stressed the need to use "Brownfield" sites first and foremost for these sorts of development. This land most certainly does not fall anywhere near this category and would represent a catastrophic loss to the community, being some of our precious Green Belt land, which once lost would be good forever for future generations.

The effect of 200 houses being built here raises the serious question of a dramatic increase of traffic in an area already with very high concentrations of vehicles on the Sutton Road and Longwood Lane, and there seems little sense in adding significant volumes of traffic in an already busy area, especially at school times and rush hour, where there are occasions already where gridlock becomes perilously close. The accommodation of large numbers of extra children in local schools would create a serious situation for the schools as well as the inevitable dangers.

The land is also undoubtedly a valuable wildlife haven and any building work would result in the loss of many more species of plants, animals and bird than we should all allow to happen.

We sincerely hope that this project will not go ahead.

Object

Representation ID: 11264

Received: 21/09/2021

Respondent: Mervyn Westley

I am a resident of [Redacted-GDPR] Walsall and write to express my concern at the proposal in the Black Country Plan to build 202 houses on the land designated Pheasy Park Farm which border Sutton Road and the canal. I realise that we have to build homes and applaud the West Midlands Mayor in the partnership with Mowden to build on brown field sites and elements on the plan which promote this option.
I am lucky to live in a green and pleasant area of the Black Country but appreciate some building on Green field sites may be necessary to provide homes. My objection to building on his land is not a case of not in my back yard, I have no objection in principle to building on farm land where the ecological damage is relatively low but this is not the case with Pheasy Park Farm.
This is one of the most ecologically diverse and sensitive habitats in the Black Country, unfarmed for at least 45 years to my personal knowledge and containing streams and ponds, hedgerows and mature trees in which wildlife thrives. Along with the canal which it adjoins this is a major corridor for many sensitive threatened species linking at is does the Arboretum Extension (a Conservation Area) Rushall Canal (SLINC), Calerfields Golf Course through to Hayhead Wood (LNR) the former Walsall Airfield land and Sutton Road Wood (LNR). These areas as you can see are designated areas of wildlife conservation and I repeat The Pheasey Park Farm land is a vital link for wildlife between all these designated areas and should itself be given conservation status. The proposal to build on Aldridge Road, Walsall along with the Pheasey Park Farm proposal if built would make the Arbotetum and Calderfields Golf Course into an unconnected island preventing the movement of wildlife species on to neighbouring land. Please see the attached map.
I also refer to Walsall Council Site Allocation Document item7 Environment Networks
Quote: The key issue for provision of environmental networks across the Borough has been identified as follows:- The Borough contains many environmental sites in isolation but consideration could be given to linking these to form more cohesive networks.
Building on this land would break an existing environmental network and is therefore running counter to the councils Site Allocation Document.

[Redacted-GDPR] I have [Redacted-sensitive information], visits from [Redacted-sensitive information], up to thirty species of birds in a single day including [Redacted-sensitive information] etc., not to mention the waterfowel accessing the stream [Redacted-GDPR] from the canal. There is far more however than that which spills over[Redacted-GDPR]. I watch [Redacted-sensitive information] displaying and mating on this land with [Redacted-sensitive information] overhead and [Redacted-sensitive information] feeding on the tree seeds, This is a special place!
The range of wildflowers present on Pheasey Park Farm is extensive and vital in providing food for small mammals and insects, particularly insect pollinators allowing them to pollinate all the fruit and seed bearing plants and trees helping to maintain a healthy environment.
This is not just a blank green space on a plan it is vital wildlife habitat which is probably the last place in Walsall which should be built upon.
To established this argument as factual rather than just the self interest of a resident, I refer you to the independent ecological survey conducted on this land and in the hands Walsall Council which lists more than 100 bird species and many reptiles and mammals including threatened species which depend on this land to survive. The air quality in Walsall is poor enough given the density of the housing, the many major roads and the two major motorways which meet in the town. This land together with the adjoining areas already mentioned are the lungs of Walsall. Building on the few green spaces which help ameliorate the problems of air pollution and the health problems it produces is itself a bad idea, but I reiterate this is a special piece of land and should be treated as such.

I respectfully request that during consideration of the public consultation into the Black Country Development Plan the details above appertaining to Pheasey Park Farm are seriously considered.

Comment

Representation ID: 11293

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Melvyn Wilson

Traffic volume is high at moment and will become very high. Longwood Lane cannot take more traffic as the uncontrolled junction with Sutton Road is already a big concern. Longwood lane has no pedestrian footpaths and has overhanging trees making it not safe for pedestrians. Local schools are already at capacity and need extra facilities.Dwellings at 35dph is over capacity for the type of are concerned. Public health will suffer from new car exhausts from the site.

Comment

Representation ID: 11294

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Melvyn Wilson

Public health will suffer from new car exhausts from the site.

Comment

Representation ID: 11460

Received: 03/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Harminder Nagra

With the plans for Walsall housing near Sutton Road this will cause a number of issues-
1. Pressure on existing transport network resulting in gridlock
2. No schools, GP etc for additional housing as current ones over subscribed
3. Loss of wildlife/biodiversity
4. Harm to the natural landscape
5. Housing on Sutton Road/Longwood Road will not address affordability issue as houses will be expensive compared with other parts of the Black Country and may cause further accidents at the longwood road/Sutton Road junction.

Object

Representation ID: 11579

Received: 06/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Laurence Hagley

I strongly object to the proposals for Queslett Road and Sutton Road and any other development on green belt. Reasons.: destruction of what is a pleasant green area. Increased traffic and pollution on already overcrowded roads. Strain on local services, medical , police, education. Destruction of wildlife habitat. General lowering the appeal of the area

Object

Representation ID: 11624

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Annie Tolley

Regarding your recent letter re Great Barr Conservation Area building plans and also for the Sutton Road and Calderfields areas. I strongly object to such a massive building plan being put forward. The following points are the reasons why;
1. Lack of suitable traffic management- HGV lorries already use this lane although this means motorists having to reverse if unfortunate enough to meet one
2. Lack of schools, surgeries in the area- more houses would be ridiculous as our schools are all over subscribed now.
3. Wildlife, hedgerows would all be destroyed- against what we are trying to do at present to reduce our carbon footprint.
4. The recent pandemic showed how vital it was for green spaces for people's well being. Building work obviously would greatly diminish this.
5. Traffic on the Sutton Road/ Beacon Rd/ Queslett Road is already packed beyond belief at rush hours and would certainly not cope with this influx of new premises
6. As a nation where a more plant based diet is being looked at - we need fields to grow produce not cover it with bricks & mortar.
Walsall has many derelict & disused properties including shops. I feel that your first port of call should be to reuse these before destroying the conservation and green belt areas.
I'm also concerned that many of the residents where this building work would affect have not been notified and only by word of mouth become aware of any of the proposals.
Finally when I looked online at the proposals it incorrectly states that "Little Oak Barn" is the major property. Pool House Farm is the original property on this land with the barn conversion "Little Oak Barn" being completed in the late 90's.
I feel very strongly that green belt & conservation land should be disregarded so easily. I feel that more could be done to make Walsall town centre more appealing before all the green that surrounds us is taken for developments which can not be supported by the local infrastructure.
I would urge the council to reconsider these proposals & to look at brown sites as the way forward to provide new homes.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs A Tolley

Object

Representation ID: 11812

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Ms Penelope Byatt

This area is part of the green belt and part of a site of local importance for nature conservation. As such, it is inappropriate that it be allocated for housing. It is essential that such areas are retained and protected for the long term. If development is allowed on such areas, it is the 'thin end of the wedge' and it threatens the integrity of the green belt in this area which means so much to the local population. This area should not be removed from the green belt just because it is cheaper to develop than brownfield sites.

Object

Representation ID: 11846

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Richard Knight

This allocation should be removed from the plan because:
- it will have a significant impact on bio diversity, pollution and natural resources
- it contravenes policy CSP3
- it will detract from the amenities of the Walsall Arboretum and Rushall Canal
- It will result in increased road congestion on the local A34 and broadway
- Does not have sufficient provision for Healthcare
- Has not be subject to sufficient diligence due to mistakes in the submission.

Object

Representation ID: 11871

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elaine McGeough

Loss of Habitat and wildlife for numerous animals and birds.
Increase of Traffic Pollution on an already congested roads.
Severe loss of wildlife habitat this should be protected not destroyed.
Loss of mature trees for access.
No large medical centre in area.
School places limited.
Traffic pollution and increase in air pollution.
Loss of greenbelt
Mental health and anxiety for residents effected by the proposals.
Contradicts Walsall Councils aim that Greenbelt sites are hugely valuable and there aim is to protect it !

Object

Representation ID: 11874

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Matthew McGeough

As a local resident I am gravely concerned about the proposals to develop this green belt SLINC WSA6. The proposals will obliterate the nature and wildlife on this site The proposed access to the site will not only cause traffic chaos on an already congested road but will also result in mature tree’s requiring to be felled. I also raise draining concerns as I am aware that culvert’s run into this land from the beacon. Please re-consider this destruction of our greenbelt!!!

Object

Representation ID: 11875

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Hannah McGeough

As a young person growing up in Walsall I am worried that the future of Walsall's environment will be drastically impacted by the loss of Greenbelt land which we could never get back.
I am a Longwood Lane resident who loves wildlife and nature, the impact of this loss will be tragic and will affect many of the wildlife and habitats we need for sustainable living within towns and cities. I am also concerned for the traffic and air pollution this will contribute to the area especially during construction.
Longwood Lane can not cope with the increase in traffic.

Object

Representation ID: 11985

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Carolyn Gough

As a local resident, I am unhappy with the plans to build on precious green belt land, which I believe is rapidly shrinking and which is a much needed asset for the mental and physical well-being of local residents. In particular the areas earmarked for Sutton Road/Longwood Lane and Calderfields, Aldridge Road, both being important natural habitats.

Object

Representation ID: 12104

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Emma Whitehouse

Valuable green belt land. Acts as wildlife corridor to Walsall arboretum.

Object

Representation ID: 12134

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs samantha watson

I strong object to the building of houses on the Sutton Road/ Longwood Lane site:
Impact on air pollution with more houses, more cars and rubbish to pollute the air
Removal of the greenbelt behind the houses - we have all kinds of birds which live in the trees including owls, woodpecker, kestrels and bats , other animals include deer, foxes , squirrels and pheasants
This area of green belt is truly diverse and should be protected its an unnecessary to spoil this green built area for 202 homes when other sites including Brown belt could be utilized
I

Object

Representation ID: 12234

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Susan Whitehouse

I live in a property backing on to this land and moved here to enjoy the green belt land behind my house. I do not want to see this protected piece of land turned into multiple houses. It would negatively impact on my health and well-being.

Object

Representation ID: 12372

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Barbara Miller

Site Reference- WAH231- Sutton Road/Longwood Lane. Strategic Allocation- WS.6 Comments below are made in reference to site WAH231 and refer to areas in various sections of the document.
Environment
----------------
-As the site is a designated Site of Local Importance for Nature conservation (SLINC) there is a serious loss of wildlife habitat which will arise as part of this proposed development. This needs to be protected.
- Various inconsistencies between plan and local site assessment reports around various environmental factors all relating to the WAH231 site.
-Serious health risk to Sutton Road/Orchard Hills residents from increased traffic pollution/noise.
-Increased stress to Sutton Road residents with construction work and loss of green space.
Town Planning, Infrastructure, Health & Wellbeing
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-Proposed site has no pedestrian and no cycle access. Also lack of any street lighting on Longwood lane, and pavement.
-Sutton Road/Longwood Lane would be unable to cope with increased traffic congestion including access issues into Sutton Road with no proposed details of how this would be managed.
-Neighbouring areas such as Orchard Hills, Park Hall will see increased traffic as a result, only compounded by the fact that housing on this particular space will result in creation of a bottleneck within the local area causing disruption not just to residents but schools, and businesses too.
-No capacity for increase in pupils at local schools and increased traffic as there is no feasible options for walking to schools which is encouraged across all local authority schools.
-Design Principles around more capacity for schools, and medical facilities are all hypothetical with no evidence in any of the proposals around how this will be achieved.
-Proposed dwellings per hectare (dph) of 35 indicated is out of character with local area.
Landowners for significant portions of the land have NOT been consulted throughout this process, and do NOT support the proposed development. Based on all the above I believe this should be removed from the Black Country Plan

Object

Representation ID: 12381

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Barbara Morgan

Site Reference- WAH231- Sutton Road/Longwood Lane. Strategic Allocation- WS.6 Comments below are made in reference to site WAH231 and refer to areas in various sections of the document.
Environment
----------------
-As the site is a designated Site of Local Importance for Nature conservation (SLINC) there is a serious loss of wildlife habitat which will arise as part of this proposed development. This needs to be protected.
- Various inconsistencies between plan and local site assessment reports around various environmental factors all relating to the WAH231 site.
-Serious health risk to Sutton Road/Orchard Hills residents from increased traffic pollution/noise.
-Increased stress to Sutton Road residents with construction work and loss of green space.
Town Planning, Infrastructure, Health & Wellbeing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-Proposed site has no pedestrian and no cycle access. Also lack of any street lighting on Longwood lane, and pavement.
-Sutton Road/Longwood Lane would be unable to cope with increased traffic congestion including access issues into Sutton Road with no proposed details of how this would be managed.
-Neighbouring areas such as Orchard Hills, Park Hall will see increased traffic as a result, only compounded by the fact that housing on this particular space will result in creation of a bottleneck within the local area causing disruption not just to residents but schools, and businesses too.
-No capacity for increase in pupils at local schools and increased traffic as there is no feasible options for walking to schools which is encouraged across all local authority schools.
-Design Principles around more capacity for schools, and medical facilities are all hypothetical with no evidence in any of the proposals around how this will be achieved.
-Proposed dwellings per hectare (dph) of 35 indicated is out of character with local area.
Landowners for significant portions of the land have NOT been consulted throughout this process, and do NOT support the proposed development. Based on all the above I believe this should be removed from the Black Country Plan

Object

Representation ID: 12470

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Richard Roberts

BLACK COUNTRY PLAN - WALSALL
Objections to housing in areas WAH242 & WAH233 etc.
It's in the Green Belt. What is the point of a Green Belt if it doesn't do what it was originally, and should still currently be, designed to do?
The Green Belt is going to be increasingly fragmented to the detriment of all the positive aspects of green spaces.
Walsall is in extraordinary position in having a green space that adjoins the town centre and is linked to the wider countryside.
The Green Belt's proximity to the town centre acts as a green space for the benefit of Walsall's residents especially if they don't have their own gardens. This has been been highlighted during the pandemic. The Arboretum and the surrounding fields are all part of the integrated green space. It's a benefit to wellbeing, exercise, the appreciation of nature.
The Arboretum in conjunction with the Green Belt helps to absorb pollution and activates clean air which is vital to Walsall being so close the major motorway network.
The latest thinking in nature conservation is that wildlife corridors are vital to the survival to the natural world and biodiversity. The fragmentation of the Green Belt will be very damaging.

The proposed housing area WAH233 by the Rushall Canal not only contains the best preserved medieval moated site in Walsall, it has exceptional wildlife riches and has greater biodiversity than the Arboretum of the Country Park. Bird species seen here during the summer months include, [Redacted-sensitive information]. And throughout the year [Redacted-sensitive information] plus all the common garden/farmland/scrub loving birds.

The latest thinking in nature conservation is that wildlife corridors are vital to the survival to the natural world and biodiversity. The fragmentation of the Green Belt will be very damaging.
Proposed housing area WAH242 surrounding Calderfields Farm, adjacent to the Arboretum, is very beneficial to wildlife. [Redacted-sensitive information] fed in these fields nearly on a daily basis.

Proposed housing area WAH242 surrounding Calderfields Farm, adjacent to the Arboretum, is very beneficial to wildlife. [Redacted-sensitive information] fed in these fields nearly on a daily basis.

In the autumn and winter months and leading up to spring large flocks of [Redacted-sensitive information] also use these fields on a daily basis. Flocks of [Redacted-sensitive information] inhabit the treeline and hedge between the Arboretum and the fields and the fruiting hedge between the two fields. [Redacted-sensitive information] are occasionally seen, visiting from the nearby fields by the Rushall Canal.

This hedge acts as a useful food source in the autumn and a roosting sight for [Redacted-sensitive information]. Birds are RSPB Red Listed species (Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BOCC 4)) and are categorised as sharply declining and of major concern. Indeed we have noticed falling numbers of these species over the last 20 years as it is.

The hedge between the two fields at Calderfields Farm smothered with hawthorn berries. September 2021.

Object

Representation ID: 12535

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Edith Yarnold

Site Reference - WAH231 - Sutton Road / Longwood Lane. Strategic Allocation WS.6.
Comments below are made in reference to site WAH231 and refer to areas in various sections of the document.

Environment:
- As the site is a designated Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC) there is a serious loss of wildlife habitat which will arise as part of this proposed development. This needs to be protected.
- Various inconsistencies between plan and local site assessment reports around various environmental factors all relating to the WAH231 site.
- Serious health risk to Sutton Road/Orchard Hills residents from increased traffic pollution/noise.
- Increased stress to Sutton Road residents with construction work and loss of green space.

Town Planning, Infrastructure, Health and Wellbeing:
- Proposed site has no pedestrian and no cycle access. Also lack of any street lighting on Longwood Lane, and pavement.
- Sutton Road/Longwood Lane would be unable to cope with increased traffic congestion including access issues into Sutton Road with no proposed details of how this would be managed.
- Neighbouring areas such as Orchard Hills, Park Hall will see increased traffic as a result, only compounded by the fact that housing on this particular space will result in creation of a bottleneck within the local area causing disruption not just to residents but to schools, and businesses too.
- No capacity for increase in pupils at local schools and increased traffic as there is no feasible options for walking to schools which is encouraged across all local authority schools.
- Design Principles around more capacity for schools, and medical facilities are all hypothetical with no evidence in any of the proposals around how this will be achieved.
- Proposed dwellings per hectare (dph) of 35 indicated is out of character with local area.

Landowners for significant portions of the land have NOT been consulted throughout this process, and do NOT support the proposed development. Based on all the above I believe this should be removed from the Black Country Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 12786

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Andrew Dowen

[Sutton Rd/ Longwood Lane.
Rheasey park Farm]

I have lived on the [Road name given] for 22 years & in that time have seen a large increase in traffic, both cars + lorries. The queues last 2+ hours both morning & evening. My major concern is that having more houses in the vicinity ie. Sutton Rd/ Longwood Lane, the roads will be unacceptable to use for local residents. Queues will be longer & time waster. also the impact of increased traffic pollution & noise is of great concern to me.
The impact would also be greater if the other proposed housing goes ahead. The areas of Calderfields, Barr Becon & Three Crowns, all these areas feed onto the Sutton Rd, Longwood Lane therefore increasing traffic & pollution even greater.
With severe traffic congestion our fear is that drivers will take more risks & being impatient waiting in queues, could result in even more road traffic accidents at these major junctions.

Object

Representation ID: 12864

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Sukhjit Khera

Site WAH 231 Sutton Road/ Longwood lane
All comments below relate to the site above
Reasons for my objections:
1) the vehicles from Sutton road come round the corner at such speed it is scary I currently cannot see them coming when I come back after dropping my son off at Aldridge school because the traffic is backed up so much see diagram this is the same for when I want to get off the drive it's dangerous
2) effect it will have on the wildlife around our beautiful area is frightening when we had some work done on our house the first thing we were asked to do was about report what about the[Redacted-sensitive information]?
3) all these extra houses will look completely out of character for this part of Walsall. We bought this house particularly because of the lovely surroundings around us

Object

Representation ID: 12871

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Jag Khera

Site WAH 231 Sutton road Longwood lane
Having lived on Longwood lane since 2010 I feel I have a strong understanding of the area and local traffic issues. Prior to moving to Longwood lane I was in orchard hills opposite Longwood lane.
Reasons for objecting:
1) traffic at the moment. The traffic on Longwood lane an Sutton road is unacceptable both are major link roads with lots of schools businesses commuter and HGV traffic. To increase traffic pollution and noise further is irresponsible
2) accidents. We personally have witnessed four major accidents outside our property these include a pedestrian being hit a stationary car being hit and lamp post hit again to increase traffic in this area is absurd
3) environment. The site a SLINC the singing of the birds is a joy to destroy their houses and habitat is not what any local residents want

Object

Representation ID: 13150

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Alan Hollingsworth

We object to this proposed housing development on the basis of these points:
Access and Egress
Longwood Lane is far too fast for any sort of turning into a new estate. Vehicles race along, not adhering to the forty mile an hour speed limit. That would be an accident waiting to happen. There are no pavements either - not very pedestrian friendly. It would also destroy habitats and may affect the ancient limestone mine workings in the Hayhead Wood area.
Sutton Road is far too fast for a turning off into a new housing estate. The proposed site for the entrance (where the green roofed bungalow now resides), or any spot between the Longwood Lane turn and the Long Horn Public House off Sutton Road, would be unacceptable due to safety concerns. This is based on:-
1 . No one takes any notice of the 30mph speed limit on Sutton Road and come racing down Three Crowns Hill, sometimes, at a very alarming rate of knots. 'Speed merchants' have caused a number of serious accidents. This can be verified by police records and Express and Star newspaper reports. A notable one was so bad, it needed a police incident hut being set up on the Long Horn car park, with staff offering tea and coffee to blue light personnel. My daughter who regularly gardens in our front garden, has witnessed a massive increase in volume of traffic recently, and increased speed of vehicles, at all times of the day. There are regularly 'boy racers' with revved engines careering down the road, irresponsibly massively over the speed limit. They would be out of control in no time if there were cars turning into a new estate entrance, as there is a blind bend (appendix 1) on Sutton Road, before the road straightens out. There would be inadequate stopping time after coming down the hill at speed, as these 'racers' would be 'upon' cars/buses turning, before they knew it. Another accident waiting to happen. By the same token, vehicles also drive far too quickly the other way up Sutton Road past the Long Horn. And again, this proposed estate turning at the site of the green bungalow, would be 'upon them' in no time. If they couldn't stop in time with cars accessing or egressing the estate at that point, there could be fatalities.
2. As a mobility scooter user, regularly travelling on the pavement up and down Sutton Road, I would be uncomfortable having to cross a new road, created as a new entrance to this new estate. I wouldn't feel safe, and without adequate dropped curbs would find myself compromised. I find the ride on the pavement bumpy and unpleasant enough on sections of raised and undulating slabs, and do not fancy my chances at [redacted], of tackling yet another obstacle. At present, I can travel to McColls Newsagent in one go, without crossing a road.l feel this would impair my disability.
3. To create an entrance (access/egress) for this new estate at the site of the green bungalow, some large trees would have to be felled (appendix 2). As I have lived in [redacted], I know how old they are. And there must be a TPO order on them as they are over 50 years old. We are not happy that they would need to be felled, or that other local habitats would need to be destroyed. More on that to follow.
Services
As a shared sewer owner, who regularly has to monitor my sewer, I can state that the 1930s drainage system along Sutton Road, is not very robust. Our sewer regularly gets blocked and our neighbours' sewer [redacted], on the verge area, has recently collapsed twice and had to be extensively repaired by Severn Trent. Also, there have been patch repairs on the road completed recently, prior to the National Cycle Event, after years of heavy vehicles pounding the road and breaking to go round into Longwood Lane. There will be a collapse at some point.
We are concerned about the consequences of 644 houses being plonked behind our home. We do not feel the infrastructure is there to sustain such development. You should also be made aware, that in 1983, there was a freak flooding occurrence, combined with a lightning strike which struck one of the properties in Longwood Lane. An immense volume of water cascaded down Three Crowns Hill, which by the time it reached the bottom of the hill, was forceful enough to overturn freezers in garages. All the sewers flooded, and we had to try and sweep water down the side of the house as fast as possible to not get sewage in the property. And with climate change only worsening, and more prolific rain 'forecast' this would be a great concern for all on Sutton Road and Longwood Lane and also the houses proposed behind them.
Mine and my wife's decline
We moved into our home, primarily for 'the view' behind the property (appendix 3). 'The view' is one of the things we pay a considerable council tax charge for. 'The view' is what's stopped us from moving into care homes. We paid a lot of money for a huge picture window to admire 'the view' of the Green Belt behind us, one of the jewels in Walsall's crown. As we decline [redacted], we will become more infirm and require downstairs beds in the lounge [redacted]. At present (appendix 4), all we can see are trees and fields and we are not overlooked. As soon as houses are plonked at the very perimeter of our bottom fence, we will be very inconveniently overlooked. We do not want to be exposed to people looking in at us when we have carers dealing with our personal needs! We would not find that acceptable at all. We would not want to have the curtains closed all day either, as we are staying here 'for the view'. We would probably lose our lovely, tall rose hedging at the bottom of the garden too, and that would be a great shame, as it forms a ha-ha for the rest of the view that we are lucky enough to share with our neighbours and gives us added security from the risk of burglars.
Habitats
The whole area behind our home has been tended and nurtured for decades. Some special work has been done by numerous bodies, to develop habitats; encouraging flora and fauna, dredging and re-enlivening the canal and introducing new species. Calderfields Golf Club have even installed EcoCabins on their well-managed site, as they see the area worthy of visitors staying, with some wonderful landscaping habitats created. Indeed, various canal trusts and volunteers have worked extremely hard to create a beautiful environment, which some people actually call their home at the Longwood Lock Basin.
There have been sightings of [species redacted] and all manner of wild flowers and wildfowl can be seen on the canal and surrounding fields. We regularly have [species redacted] fly over, and [species redacted] catching prey in the fields behind the house. All those trees being demolished would be a criminal waste, as those habitats have taken some considerable time to develop. What would David Attenborough say!
This housing development, by losing those habitats, would be detrimental to cyclists, dog walkers, ramblers, children learning about their environment and horse riders. As the government's agenda is to get as many people as possible out and about getting fit, this would be another loss of green space which is ideal for the above purposes.
There are lovely walks on the 'Beacon Way', linking the Arboretum Extension, Canal, Hayhead Wood Nature Reserve, Cuckoo's Nook Nature Reserve and Barr Beacon. Plus extended links with Park Lime Pits and Sutton Park. All of these would be interrupted, optically and practically by the erection of 644 houses over the two sites at Sutton road and Calderfields. That would be a heritage loss that we and a lot of other people would be unhappy about.
In conclusion
In conclusion, the erection of 644 houses (202 Sutton Road, 442 Calderfields) would not be appropriate on these proposed sites. There are plenty of better suited brownfield and other underdeveloped sites that would be far more usable and appropriate (as Andy Street's policy attests), and they would be a lot safer to easily access and egress.

Object

Representation ID: 13189

Received: 08/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Sylvia Emberson

You have recently staged a most successful cycling tour covering Walsall and Aldridge, particularly Sutton Road and Longwood Lane. This route showed the most pleasant parts of the borough. Your proposal to build on Longwood Land and Calderfields will completely destroy whatever kudos you have gained

Object

Representation ID: 13192

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Michael Glasson

I am writing with specific reference to the impact the Black Country Plan will have on the Walsall Green Belt. The Walsall Green Belt is currently a continuous and coherent area of open countryside and woodland which hugely enhances the eastern side of the Borough. Following the course of the Holbrook Stream, the Green Belt links together Walsall Arboretum, Walsall
Country Park, vitally important areas of scrub land to the east of the Rushall Canal (site refWAH233), Hay Head Wood nature reserve, public open space at the former Aldridge Airfield, Cuckoo's Nook nature reserve and the Dingle nature reserve, ultimately leading to the Barr Beacon nature reserve. Following the Rushall Canal the belt links up with important wildlife areas around Park Lime Pits nature reserve. Much of this land is in Council ownership and has been actively managed for wildlife for many years.
Collectively the areas listed above form one of the most important collections of wildlife sites in the West Midlands, with a very rich range of flora and fauna. Over 60 species of birds have been recorded in Walsall Country Park between 2017-21, for example, including 12 endangered Red Book species (nearly one fifth of the British total). This is important not just as a vital resource of biodiversity but also as a valuable green lung for Walsall residents, offering areas for off-road walking, running, and cycling in a traffic- free and low pollution atmosphere. Modern research has revealed the huge benefits to peoples mental and physical health from exercising regularly in 'natural' areas. Given the very poor health record of Walsall (in common with most of the Black Country) we should be enhancing not reducing people opportunities for healthy exercise in countryside areas.
The Black Country Plan threatens to seriously fragment and damage the coherence and integrity of the Walsall Green Belt by building thousands of houses on what are currently green fields. Proposed development site WAH233 in particular would be especially damaging, lying as it does between Walsall Country Park/Rushall Canal to the west and open farmland leading to Hay Head wood to the north and east. This site is also the location of an important archaeological site, Walsall's best preserved medieval moat (Wood End Moat). lt also includes areas of scrub, of great importance to wildlife.
Inserting a large housing estate into this location would be disastrous.
Proposed development site WAH242 would have a huge visual impact on Walsall's much loved Arboretum and it is impossible to see how building over 400 houses in this location could be anything other than hugely damaging to the integrity of Walsall's most popular park.
The Plan does not address the issue of the impact some 5000 new homes (and 15- 20,000 new residents?) will have on local infrastructure. To taker just one aspect of infrastructure it is hard to see how Walsall's existing road network could cope with such a significant increase in traffic given the gridlock conditions which already exist at peak commuting times. Nor does the plan address the issue of the additional environmental pollution created by such an increase in traffic, specifically the likely increase in the number of Walsall residents who will suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases as a result.
There is a clear alternative- we should be building in the heart of the Black Country, rejuvenating existing town centres and revitalising former industrial brown field sites, close to where people actually work ( thereby reducing commuting) and where good infrastructure such as schools, shops, medical centres, leisure centres etc already exists. It would be tragic to needlessly sacrifice Walsalls Green Belt.