Draft Black Country Plan

Support

Representation ID: 11143

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

Re: Black Country Plan – Support for the protection of Green Belt Around Halesowen

We support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.

Circa 1989 Dudley Council, following a previous Green Belt review, improved the Public Rights of Way network in these areas by working in collaboration with local volunteer groups. Following on from that the Council promoted enjoyment of this countryside by the public for informal recreation. They
supported the production of walk leaflets explaining the historic landscape and ecological significance of each area. The Council even contributed £20,000 towards The Woodland Trust purchasing Uffmoor Wood, despite this being just outside the Borough boundary and coming under Bromsgrove Council. In doing so they appreciated the important relationship between this ancient coppice woodland and neighbouring farmland, including Tack Farm which is the site of a former Anglo-Saxon mill (Notwic Mill).

This countryside, protected by Green Belt designation, is rich in history.
At Lapal and Illey are the remains of Halesowen Abbey which is a Scheduled Ancient
Monument of National Importance.
At Lutley we have a Conservation Area associated with the historic Lutley Mill and the green lane that links it to the mediaeval hamlet of Lutley which was once held by the Canons of Wolverhampton.
Foxcote, which forms the foreground se ng of the Iron Age Fort on Wychbury Hill, and historically is linked to it, is archaeologically rich with finds of flint arrow heads, flint scrapers, axes and other tools. It was the site of ancient hunting summer camps and, in part, this explains the wide scatter of historic ‘finds’.

The countryside hereby defined is important to people from far afield and, within the wider landscape, encompasses the famed and beautiful Clent Hills, a large area of which is owned and managed by the National Trust. We must also consider the Hagley Hall Estate which includes a large proportion of Wychbury Hill, the importance of which was acknowledged in the 18th Century by George Lyttelton in his creation of Hagley Park which is now a Grade 1 Listed Garden. On Wychbury Hill are two significant follies, ‘The Temple of Theseus’ and ‘The Obelisk’, tastefully exploiting the landscape prominence of the hill and the presence of the fort.

The whole of this area, including that within Dudley Borough, is of regional importance as an amenity asset for the wellbeing of, and enjoyment by, a large population. We personally spend many hours of enjoyment walking in these areas, appreciating their beauty and the fresh air. It would be so simple to

seriously, and hence permanently, damage the area with inappropriate developments and associated infrastructure.

Support

Representation ID: 20335

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

[Unallocated sites]

I support the Conclusions in the Site Assessment Report that protect the greenbelt and green spaces
in Dudley borough, and particularly in Gradley & Wollescote and Hayley Green & Gradley South wards
by assessing sites there as not suitable for residential or industrial purpose as follows:•
SA-0034-DUD Land North of Oldnall Road; SA-0159-DUD Land West of Avon Road, Gradley; SA-0245-DUD Land South of Park Road, Cradley; SA-0081-DUD Foxcote Farm, Oldnall Road, Wollescote; SA-0027-DUD Land West of Foxcote Farm, Oldnall Road, Wollescote, DY9 9AR; SA-
0079-DUD Land off Wynall Lane South, Wollescote, DY9 9AJ; SA-0036-DUD Land adjacent to Abbey
Road, Halesowen, B63 2HH; SA-0040-DUD Land south of Gradley Town FC, Beeches View Avenue,
Halesowen, B63 2HH.

Object

Representation ID: 20336

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

[DUH041]

I strongly object to the Conclusions in the draft plan that do not protect our greenbelt and green spaces in Dudley borough, and particularly in Cradley & Wollescote and Belle Vale by assessing sites there as suitable for residential or industrial purpose as follows:•
DUH041 Land rear of Two Gates Lane, Gradley; DUH214 Seymour Road, Wollescote; DUH059 New Hawne Colliery (part only). I do not believe it is possible to put in place sufficient mitigation to make up for the loss of any greenbelt or green space to a community.

Object

Representation ID: 20337

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

DUH214

I strongly object to the Conclusions in the draft plan that do not protect our greenbelt and green spaces in Dudley borough, and particularly in Cradley & Wollescote and Belle Vale by assessing sites there as suitable for residential or industrial purpose as follows:•
DUH041 Land rear of Two Gates Lane, Cradley; DUH214 Seymour Road, Wollescote; DUH059 New Hawne Colliery (part only). I do not believe it is possible to put in place sufficient mitigation to make up for the loss of any greenbelt or green space to a community.

Object

Representation ID: 20338

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

[DUH059 New Hawne Colliery (part only)]

I strongly object to the Conclusions in the draft plan that do not protect our greenbelt and green spaces in Dudley borough, and particularly in Cradley & Wollescote and Belle Vale by assessing sites there as suitable for residential or industrial purpose as follows:•
DUH041 Land rear of Two Gates Lane, Cradley; DUH214 Seymour Road, Wollescote; DUH059 New Hawne Colliery (part only). I do not believe it is possible to put in place sufficient mitigation to make up for the loss of any greenbelt or green space to a community.

Comment

Representation ID: 20339

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

[Flint Field - LGS]

I support the application by Friends of Homer Hill Park and Gradley Then & Now for designation of Local Green Space for Site ID 10522 The Flint Field, Land North of Oldnall Road, Gradley & Wollescote. The area is a special place for the community and holds particular local significance because of its natural beauty, tranquillity, wild life, archaeology, history and recreational value. Its size and character is different to neighbouring or other greenbelt land in Gradley or Wollescote. A visit there for recreation is a different experience to visiting anywhere else in the locality, which is
demonstrated by organised walks, and the support of the Black Country Society. It's appreciated for its breathtaking views over the Black Country, and its secluded, private areas, quite different to the much larger fields overlooked by the farm and farm buildings to the south of Oldnall Road or the enclosing, towering treescape of Caslon Wood.

Object

Representation ID: 20340

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

[General Greenfield/ Brownfield]

It is claimed that there are exceptional circumstances now regarding the need for housing and commercial premises, I believe that there is no justification for removing the protection on greenbelt and greenfield land. It can never be replaced as a source of pleasure and enjoyment for the community. It is not sustainable to build on our countryside, resulting in loss of farmland, natural habitat for wild life, hedgerows and trees.

There are many brownfield sites that remain unused because builders prefer new, easy to develop sites that bring greater profits.The homes built on these greenfield sites are not affordable for most people. More recently many shops and offices are closing whose sites would provide extra capacity for homes in towns and cities which are in need of revival and redevelopment.

Large developments on the edge of our communities bring extra traffic to roads that are already over busy, and extra pressure on local services such as schools and health centres.This lowers the quality of life for the existing population and brings the same problems for the new residents that they may not have anticipated. I do not support any loss of green space, greenbelt land or greenfield land.

Support

Representation ID: 46149

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Cradley Then and Now

Black Country Plan – Support for the protection of Green Belt Around Halesowen

We support the Council’s continued protection of countryside at Lapal, Illey, Coombeswood, Uffmoor, Hayley Green, Lutley and Foxcote, following a formal review of the Green Belt.

Circa 1989 Dudley Council, following a previous Green Belt review, improved the Public Rights of Way network in these areas by working in collaboration with local volunteer groups. Following on from that the Council promoted enjoyment of this countryside by the public for informal recreation. They
supported the production of walk leaflets explaining the historic landscape and ecological significance of each area. The Council even contributed £20,000 towards The Woodland Trust purchasing Uffmoor Wood, despite this being just outside the Borough boundary and coming under Bromsgrove Council. In doing so they appreciated the important relationship between this ancient coppice woodland and neighbouring farmland, including Tack Farm which is the site of a former Anglo-Saxon mill (Notwic Mill).

This countryside, protected by Green Belt designation, is rich in history.
At Lapal and Illey are the remains of Halesowen Abbey which is a Scheduled Ancient
Monument of National Importance.
At Lutley we have a Conservation Area associated with the historic Lutley Mill and the green lane that links it to the mediaeval hamlet of Lutley which was once held by the Canons of Wolverhampton.
Foxcote, which forms the foreground se ng of the Iron Age Fort on Wychbury Hill, and historically is linked to it, is archaeologically rich with finds of flint arrow heads, flint scrapers, axes and other tools. It was the site of ancient hunting summer camps and, in part, this explains the wide scatter of historic ‘finds’.

The countryside hereby defined is important to people from far afield and, within the wider landscape, encompasses the famed and beautiful Clent Hills, a large area of which is owned and managed by the National Trust. We must also consider the Hagley Hall Estate which includes a large proportion of Wychbury Hill, the importance of which was acknowledged in the 18th Century by George Lyttelton in his creation of Hagley Park which is now a Grade 1 Listed Garden. On Wychbury Hill are two significant follies, ‘The Temple of Theseus’ and ‘The Obelisk’, tastefully exploiting the landscape prominence of the hill and the presence of the fort.

The whole of this area, including that within Dudley Borough, is of regional importance as an amenity asset for the wellbeing of, and enjoyment by, a large population. We personally spend many hours of enjoyment walking in these areas, appreciating their beauty and the fresh air. It would be so simple to

seriously, and hence permanently, damage the area with inappropriate developments and associated infrastructure.