Draft Black Country Plan

Object

Representation ID: 23594

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Moseley Road Open Space Group Response 6

Number of people: 95

Objection to Table 43 Site WOH273

As residents of Bilston in the City of Wolverhampton, we object to any houses being built on this site known as the Grapes Field. We do so because it is a beautiful and valuable green open space which we believe are our green lungs used for leisure and public health amenity.
It is an important habitat for local birds and wildlife; it provides shelter and stopping off points for migrating birds during the different seasons. That in itself is a wonderful sight for residents and nearby locals who are interested in wildlife.

Residents and nearby locals use the land for walking, exercise and other recreational activities. Plus, it is a popular meeting place for neighbours and friends, all of which in this stressful world we live in helps with our mental health. Having just gone through a pandemic where outside exercise was limited, this land only became more popular with residents of Bilston as it was somewhere they could escape to and safely socialise with friend or family. Without this space the past eighteen months would have been much harder for many of us to get through. In our neighbourhood there are several maisonettes and flats without gardens, these residents rely upon this green space for exercise and socialising.

You simply cannot take a piece of green open space which is used like this from a congested and cramped part of the City. Taking away and building on it will not provide the additional open space amenity a modern neighbourhood requires. It will do the reverse and create even less green space for the current residents and locals.

In short losing amenity to houses in an area short of amenity is not good planning, and is not looking after the residents that are already here.

We believe it will fundamentally interrupt quiet enjoyment by the community which will have a massive impact on the mental health of everyone in this area. It will increase traffic congestion, noise and fumes at an already busy junction. There is also the issue of car parking which is already problematic around this estate.
Adding to the traffic and congestion issues this plan will create, there is also the added pressure on local Doctor's surgeries, schools and other essential outlets in an already crowded area.

We object in the strongest possible terms