Object

Representation ID: 3975

Received: 12/12/2021

Respondent: Save the Lower Penn Green Belt (Action Group)

Strategic Objective 1 is supported however compensatory Green Belt provision is not something that fully ameliorates loss of Green Belt. Our evidence suggests that ‘exceptional circumstances’ do not exist for removal of many new housing sites from the Green Belt.

Strategic Objective 2 is not supported. The additional 4,000 houses for the Black Country should be removed. A policy to review that position subsequent to the adoption of the Black Country Plan based on up-dated evidence should be included if that is deemed to be necessary. The use of Urban Extensions should be reviewed as the Local plan attempts to justify this because of the acceptance of over-spill from the conurbation, which we are challenging.

Strategic Objectives 3-5 on housing can be supported but they should relate to needs arising in South Staffordshire. The evidence that significant housing needs to be included from the Black Country is not supported.

Strategic Objective 12 is wholly inadequate. The Objective should be much higher up in the Plan. The Plan should also aim to support a reduction in Climate Change emissions not only through mitigation at development sites but in the overall approach to development location.
Accepting significant amounts of housing from the Black Country undermines that goal.