Draft Black Country Plan

Comment

Representation ID: 11540

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: Hawbush Community Gardens

Pleased to see the transport modelling work ongoing, which is important as I feel that recent housing developments have not taken adequate account of road and transport requirements. This is clear based on the severe traffic congestion on roads around the borough, where recent housing projects have been completed without any apparent improvements in roads, either before or after project completion.

Comment

Representation ID: 11541

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: Hawbush Community Gardens

Im sorry, with limited time to scan the draft plan, I'm not sure this is the appropriate place to comment, but I do have a concern regarding the issue of "social housing" and "affordable housing". I feel there is a great need for both but fear that affordable houses have created a distortion of the market as a result of "buy-to-let" investors increasing prices beyond the reach of young people. I make this comment in reference to:
6.9 Parts of Dudley have been identified as needing some form of housing market intervention

Support

Representation ID: 11543

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: Hawbush Community Gardens

Happy to see the emphasis given to the retention of open, green spaces - I'm including in this the great parks and recreation facilities across Dudley Borough and facilities like our own Hawbush Community Gardens (Bull Street, DY5 3NQ) - their importance has been underlined by the pandemic. Not only important for health and wellbeing, but for the environmental benefits of valuable habitats for reduction of urban flooding risk, air quality and for pollinating insects and all sorts of wildlife. Also urban food production will be increasingly important in the future, to build resilience into UK food supplies.

Support

Representation ID: 11544

Received: 05/10/2021

Respondent: Hawbush Community Gardens

Pleased to see the recognition of the importance of planning taking account of regional and local flooding risk. These concerns relate to the lack of a holistic approach to water catchment management. This does now seem to be understood in the rural/agricultural context but maybe less so in urban areas. Managing the soil so that water is allowed to percolate below the surface and hence stored before drainage/runoff. Housing projects should include an element of soil management to this end - the tendency for homes to pave large areas to the exclusion of "gardens" should be discouraged or CONTROLLED!