Wolverhampton Towns and Neighbourhoods Area (WTNA)

Object

Representation ID: 15287

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Yvonne Freeman

I wish to raise my objections to the building of houses as outlined on the Black Country Plan, Page 608 Ref WOH274WTNA, WEC SMESTOW VALLEY.
As well as destroying the natural Fauna and flora in the
area and the creation of wetlands, the area is enjoyed by many especially since the lockdown due to Covid.

Object

Representation ID: 15303

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Terence Holdcroft

Black Country Plan : Page 608 : Ref:WOH274, WEC
Firstly, it saddens me to read in the papers every day about the efforts that should be being put in by Governments nd ordinary folk to slow/or stop the global warming?. The increasing use of “GREENFIELD SITES for building is undoubtedly accelerating the final outcome.
Our Children and the children of the future are not going to experience the pleasure that I and others enjoy today. S bestow Valley Nature Reserve is quite unique in it’s diversity of Wild flowers, trees, amphibians and birds. Some of these are quite rare and will be destroyed if the WEC development goes ahead. I do know that there are [redacted] on the WEC site and I know it is forbidden to develop such sites. My lifetime experience has shown me that when man moves in with a development, the wild life moves out or perrishes. And the folk that daily walk Smestow valley will be reduced in numbers. The Smestow Valley Nature reserve is the only large green Space in the Wolverhampton area and an awful lot of people will be upset and angry if the development goes ahead Smestow Valley is the future for our children and their children, development go Greenfields has to stop. yours Terry [redacted].

Object

Representation ID: 15351

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Terry Wilkes

Page 608 WOH274 WTNA WEC Smestow Valley Wolverhampton

Object to development on green belt

Object

Representation ID: 15431

Received: 06/10/2021

Respondent: Vicky O'Connor

I Vicky oconnor of
[redacted]
write to oppose the proposed build of 14 homes on the wonderful piece of country side that is Smestow valley Nature reserve WV39AY It is home to many animals insects and birds .
Please listen to local people who regularly enjoy this green open space. We need to keep what we have for future generations to enjoy …..

Object

Representation ID: 15511

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs Valerie and Terry Martin

Number of people: 2

I would like to object to the plan to build 14 houses on the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve.
The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country have concluded that the site assessment process should not have selected the site. Access would require vehicle access across freeway. This conflicts with Policy CSP4 and Policy ENV8.
The site has so much wildlife that will be put at risk - [redacted].

Object

Representation ID: 15613

Received: 08/10/2021

Respondent: Tracy Lycett

Regarding document Black Country Plan - page 608, ref WOH274 WTNA, WEC
Smestow Valley, Wolverhampton.
I wish to raise strong objections to the above proposal, and oppose any development on this sacred bio diverse land. This beautiful area is teeming with all types of wildlife, some which is in sharp decline. It is used by families with young children, whose futures will be affected by any loss of such beautiful land, as well as dog
walkers and simply those who wish to enjoy the beauty’s day peace of this area. At a time when global warming is a reality it is wrong to destroy such an important area, which contributes to absorption of carbon emissions. Any wildlife however small, is part of a food chain in nature and should not be destroyed.
Any development of the area, however small, will change the area forever. Indeed the small area previously used by the council was only changed from green to brown land to suit their greedy needs, and was only ever used for growing plants. Not exactly in the spirit of brown land! It is not only the housing, but the required infrastructures that will affect the area.
There is so much brown land available between Wolverhampton and Birmingham as you travel along the railway. This should be your priority!

Object

Representation ID: 15618

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Patricia Webb

WOH274 WTNA WEC SMESTOW VALLEY WOLVERHAMPTON
Please, please reconsider the plan to build on such valuable areas as these. We cannot keep destroying our world in this way, not when brownfield land lies empty and desolate. What will we be leaving for future generations?

Object

Representation ID: 15786

Received: 06/10/2021

Respondent: Steven Lane

Black country plan page 608
Ref WOH 274 WTNA
WEC Smestow Valley Wolverhampton
I object to the plan to build homes on the WEC/ Smestow Valley

Object

Representation ID: 15928

Received: 04/10/2021

Respondent: Stuart Munroe

WOH27WTNA
This would be a travesty we have substantially less green belt in the Wolverhampton area and this development will purely allow wealthy people to buy into a local and rare beauty spot whilst stealing this facility from many thousands of ordinary folk who use this spot. [redacted] it is special places like this people like myself need to be able to access for quiet time and an opportunity to breath.

Object

Representation ID: 16098

Received: 30/09/2021

Respondent: Mary Coxall

Black Country Plan page 608 ref. WOH274 WTNA WEC Smestow Valley Wolverhampton
I wish to formally object to the above plan. This is NOT unused wasteland but a valuable open space enjoyed by the community. This is rare area of outstanding beauty in Wolverhampton, offering much needed green space and woodland. This area is used every day by members of the community and is highly valued. In my opinion allowing such a development to proceed will have a detrimental effect, not only on the wildlife, but the well being of all those who have the pleasure of using this space.

Object

Representation ID: 17340

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mrs Susan Readshaw

WOH274 WTNA WEC Smestow Valley Wolverhampton
I wish to object to the proposal in the Local Plan for a development of 14 "exclusive" dwellings on the above site.
It appears that a number of important factors have not been taken into consideration. The Plan states that there is no habitat of value on the site, relying on a survey from 2015 and an application for planning permission, now lapsed, from 2018. This is, quite simply, not the case. The site absorbs excess water from the nearby Smestow Brook, and as a result a shallow wetland is developing. Great Crested Newts, Herons and Little Egrets have been seen on the site, as well as five species of bat.
It appears that no Local Site Assessment has been conducted in connection with the Plan. The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (WTBBC) notes that there is no evidence of consultation with the Local Nature Partnership. However, WTBBChas conducted studies in October 2019 and early 2021 which have concluded that the site is indeed of importance for nature conservation. The Plan shows no evidence of this information having been taken into account. WTBBC states further that the site adjoins a Local Nature Reserve, which will be severely impacted by any development.
The development is in fact simply unnecessary. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has established that there is more than enought brownfield land within the Black Country to meet requirements for at leat ten years. The urgent need is for affordable housing, and a development of "exclusive" dwellings will do nothing to meet this need. This, together with the Prime Minister's commitment in his party conference speech to protect greenbelt, calls into question the reasoning behind this proposed development. On a practical note, there seems to be no recognition in the Plan of the difficulty of building on a site prone to flooding.
The WEC site is greatly valued by many people as a green space on the edge of Wolverhampton and as a site of increasing importance for wildlife. The value of such sites for the mental health of local residents cannot be overestimated. Its loss would be a severe blow not only to the environment but to the community.

Object

Representation ID: 17538

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Swarn Singh

I am objecting to build houses on St Lukes site because Traffic will go from bad to impossible I recommend that site should give to The Royal School so they can used to extend 6th form centre for the highly successful for that

Object

Representation ID: 17600

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Taryn Nabi

I'm trying to put my objection through for the houses being built on the old St Lukes site, [redacted]. We live at [redacted] and only got the letter through our door on Friday. [redacted] Even though the letter is dated 21 September, its taken 6 weeks to get to us. I'm horrified to think what [redacted] will be like if this goes ahead.

Support

Representation ID: 17748

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Canning Associates

Agent: Canning Associates

Support of allocation at Perton Road, Tinacre, Wightwich, Wolverhampton. WOH265 WTNA Table 43 Page607

See attached


Support of housing allocation at Perton Road, Tinacre Hill, Wightwick, Wolverhampton. Planning reference WOH265 WTNA identified as being suitable for four units. Table 43 page 607 Wolverhampton housing allocations in Black Country plan.


My clients, the landowners of the above support the draft allocation of the site for residential development. The site is clearly part of settlement and is situated adjoining established residential development to the East and South. The site has road frontage and is in a sustainable
location. Services are all available.


Any development would be of a high quality, low density, architect lead, ecologically and sustainably designed. The adopted Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan policy TNP 16 on sustainable buildings would support this. The Black Country Core Strategy policy HOU1 delivering sustainable housing growth is also supportive of this. The adopted Black Country Core Strategy also states: "the Black Country suffers from a lack of housing choice, which limits its ability to attract more households in social groups A and B. At present, one quarter of new market housing built in the Black Country is occupied by A and B households who are new to the area or who would otherwise have left. If the equivalent national level of A and B households in 2033 would be achieved in the Black
Country this would require all new market housing built over the plan period to be occupied by A and B households.
Factors most likely to attract A and B household are proximity to professional and managerial jobs, the appearance of the surrounding area and good schools. It will be important therefore, that the various elements of core strategy work together to achieve a level of transformation necessary to attract A and B households at the required levels". This small site will meet those needs.

The site does not perform a green belt function. The site relates to the settlement and is not apart from this. The hedges and trees that mark the boundaries are evidently separating the site from the open fields that form the greenbelt. The strategic buffer adjoining the site would not be affected. Additional landscaping could create a private environment for the proposed houses and ensure there is no visual impact on the neighbouring property.

An allocation of this site would provide for part of the windfall provision within the local plan.

The adopted Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan states that windfall sites will be viewed favourably if proposals meet their criteria. See also the adopted Black Country Core Strategy policy CSP 2.


The allocation of the site is supported by the landowners. The site is deliverable and in a location that would provide for housing that meets the needs of the local plan.

Object

Representation ID: 18205

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Councillor Wendy Dalton

I write as a Councillor for Merry Hill Ward. My comments reflect the views of myself and the great majority of residents in my Ward.
My objection to the draft Black Country Plan specifically relates to site WOH274, the former Wolverhampton Environment Centre on Westacre Crescent in Finchfield, where it is proposed to build 14 properties. myself, and hundreds of local residents object to this proposal in the strongest possible terms.
The site sits at the heart of the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, and is currently green open space that is enjoyed by many people.
During The pandemic myself and residents took to the beautiful space to improve their mental and physical Well being. without it i do not know know what so many would have done, some of whom traveledl a considerable distance just to enjoy the nature and the beauty of the land.
This deveopment is inappropriate as access to the deveopment would require access across greenway. This conflicts with Policy CSP4 Achieving well designed places, and policy ENV8 , Open space, sport , recreation
I support the 'Friends of the WEC' group, a social media group which currently has over 1,000 members, to oppose any development on the site and instead to preserve it for the local community to enjoy.
The site is a showcase of nature and wild animals, and any housing on the land could only be of detrimental effect to them. The land also absords water from the nearby Smestow Brook when that overflows, acting as a shallow wetland which benefits the environment and nature. If houses were built on the land, this would cause drainage problems and the overspill would have to go elsewhere.
The site is also specifically protected in the Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan (Policy TNP6) where it states the land is designated as agricultural and the preferred option is to retain the land for community use. The Neighbourhood Plan also states that the site should be fully integrated into the Nature Reserve, and indeed designated as a SINC. Wolverhampton Council have disregarded the Neighbourhood Plan when drawing up their proposals to build on the site.
As part of the development of the Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan, a public survey was conducted in which 78% of respondents objected to any housing development on the site. This further strengthens our objections on behalf of the local community.
To conclude, as a Community Association representing hundreds of local residents in Finchfield and Castlecroft, who would be greatly affected by development of the former WEC site, we object to the inclusion of this site in the Black Country Plan and request that it is removed. It is our strong belief that Wolverhampton Council can find more appropriate space elsewhere in the city for 14 properties to be built, including via increasing numbers at existing brownfield sites where development is planned.

Object

Representation ID: 21427

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Sean Lancaster-Evans

Bushbury Plan

I have several concerns regarding this proposed plan.

1. This would have a major impact on the local woodland and wildlife within that woodland. Even though the site is currently farm land it is surrounded by woodland and is the habitat of Buzzards and other woodland animals. This will undoubtable affect their habitat and possibly drive them away.

2. There are several mature trees within the proposed area and these need to be protected.

3. The size of the proposed site will have a major impact on the local infrastructure, roads. schools and medical facilities. These are already under immense pressure due to numbers. The proposed school, if this went ahead would do little to alleviate this.

4. The proposed site is currently a popular area for leisure activities including walking and bird watching and this would be affected by the proposed size of the site.

5. Lastly and most importantly this is clearly green belt and should surely be a last resort, brownfield land must be the priority in these cases, reuse land and stay away from land that is clearly a benefit as it is to the local community. Bushbury is not an affluent area and any country side in this area is important to the well being of the local community