Draft Black Country Plan

Object

Representation ID: 18576

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Agent: Councillor Qadar Zada

Finally, it is uncertain how the borough will meet its target for zero carbon emissions by 2050 and zero waste to landfill by 2030 with so many additional households. There is also the issue of how the loss of the natural absorption provided by green belt and green spaces may contribute to or create new flooding risks.

Object

Representation ID: 18577

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Agent: Councillor Qadar Zada

[Loss of the Green space - general]


Health and well-being


Reference has already been made to the lack of consideration given to equality of protected groups. There are actions within the public health arena under the Health and Well Being Board’s aims and objectives,
including the need to reduce health inequalities throughout the borough and particularly in those areas showing high levels of deprivation.


What we know about the population of Dudley is that it is the 164th most deprived borough (out of 337 boroughs) in the UK, where 28% of residents live in the 20% most deprived wards, and where, according to the Director of Public Health’s report for 2019/20, the life expectancy for men is 9.2 years less and for women 7 years less than the national average. Rates for obesity, alcohol related harm, self-harm and physical inactivity are high. Therefore, to improve this situation for Dudley people, green spaces for exercise, leisure and general well being are essential.


This is supported by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health which concluded up to 43,000 deaths each year could be prevented if areas followed World Health Organisation guidelines that no one should be more than 300 metres from a park or outdoor space.


The study describes the health benefits of green spaces as including lower rates of mental health problems, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, better brain function and a longer life expectancy.


It says that spending time in nature not only benefits our health and provides us with opportunities for physical exercise and social interaction, but it also helps to mitigate air pollution, heat and noise levels, all while reducing the planet’s carbon footprint.


The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, looked at
1,000 cities in 31 European countries.


Study lead author Evelise Pereira said: “Our findings show that green space is very unevenly distributed across European cities, with mortality attributable to insufficient exposure to green space.


The National Planning Policy Framework also states open space should be taken into account in planning for new developments and considering proposals that may affect existing open spaces, which can provide
health and recreation benefits to people living and working nearby, have
an ecological value and contribute to green infrastructures as well as being an important part of the landscape. So, there will be a detrimental effect of losing green space to development, particularly for children and young people and the local community by taking away valuable green spaces which currently allows us to breathe clean air, to relax and unwind and generally support our well-being.


Countless other studies show the multiple benefits of local green space to communities, including:
• improved public health, physical and mental
• Reduced stress and improved wellbeing
• Healthier early years and childhood development
• Reduced health related costs to society
• Increased social cohesion within and between communities


As well as these benefits, Natural England guidance states that everybody should be within 5 minutes’ walk of 2 hectares of green space.


Finally, pages 246 – 251 of the BCP states ‘Development that would reduce the overall value of open spaces, sport and recreation network in BC will be resisted’. Page 277 also refers to air quality and how poor it
is in many places. There is a proven correlation between the quality of air in overdeveloped areas and the health, well-being and economic security of people living in them. The loss of these green spaces could have a further detriment to Dudley people.

Object

Representation ID: 18578

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Agent: Councillor Qadar Zada

In Conclusion


In conclusion the Labour group supported by residents is of the following view:



- The information and data on which the assumptions are made are inaccurate.
- Dudley Council is offering up a greater proportion of green belt and
green spaces than is necessary in comparison to it’s neighbouring
authorities.
- There are alternative options available to the Council than to proceed with the development of green belt and green spaces.
- There is insufficient evidence to support the provision of houses on green spaces and the green belt.
- There are no direct benefits that arise from the sacrifice of green spaces and green belt.
- The Council has not satisfactorily conducted its duty to consult and has failed to be inclusive in its approach, such that many members of the public have been excluded from the process.
- The Council will share the bigger burden of infrastructure and
service costs which will inevitably arise as a result of building on green belt and green spaces.
- Insufficient consideration has been given to remedying the impact on infrastructure and services, currently under immense strain.
- The scrutiny process has not been adequate.
- There is no evidence of any equality related considerations.
- There are a significant number of issues which require further explanation.



In summary, the process for progressing the proposals in the BCP should be suspended to provide an opportunity for the issues raised in this response to be resolved.



I trust that this collective response on behalf of every member of the Labour Group on Dudley Council will be accepted and we look forward to your response