The results from the survey that the Parish Council recently carried out, have now been collated. Below is a copy of the letter the Council sent to Solihull MBC outlining the results.

Mrs Anne Brereton
(Director for Places)
Solihull MBC
P O Box 19
Council House
Solihull
B91 9QT

4th January 2011

Dear Mrs Brereton,

Solihull Local Development Framework: Emerging Core Strategy

Bickenhill Parish Council submits the following response to the Emerging Core Strategy Consultation for the Local Development Framework.

Over the last few weeks the Parish Council has undertaken an extensive public consultation within the community of Marston Green to seek the residents' views and to identify the needs of the community in any future development.

The Parish Council took the decision to carry out the survey due to the many concerns among the residents regarding the future of the village and the over development of Marston Green. We issued 2,600 questionnaire forms to households in Marston Green and received a total of 535 completed survey forms from our residents. We consider this to be a good response, which we believe gives a robust indication of the concerns of the residents and their views. A blank copy of the survey issued to our residents is enclosed for your information.

We have analysed the questionnaire responses in the attached 5 Graphs.

Section 1 - Local Housing needs in Marston Green - Click here for Graph 1

Our consultation confirms that there is little appetite for more homes in Marston Green although there is clear evidence to support the development of an appropriate number of new homes to meet the proven needs of the local community. There is strong evidence that the community of Marston Green believes that any further homes for general sale or beyond local needs should be placed elsewhere in the borough – see Graph 1.

See also the video via You Tube, which demonstrates the strength of feeling within the village against over development.

- A cross section of predominant comments from residents:
- Marston Green is over developed
- Marston Green should be kept as a village
- The infrastructure of the village cannot take any more new homes
- New homes means more cars
- Too much traffic in Marston Green

Section 2 - Housing Type – Click here for Graph 2

The survey clearly shows there is a requirement for most new housing to meet the needs of older people. There is a view that older people would like to down size making family homes more available. There is also a need for affordable starter housing to sustain the community with a generational link - residents being able move to different house types within the community as their needs change. The least demand is for houses within the rented sector and shared ownership – see Graph 2

A cross section of predominant comments from residents:
- There are currently plenty of houses for sale in Marston Green
- Parking is a major problem

Section 3 - Local Issues in Marston Green – Click here for Graph 3

Our survey tells us that there is a major problem with parking in the village as Graph 3 clearly indicates and almost 50% of the returned forms had additional comments on the problems with parking. However, the bus and rail services are adequate to meet the current needs of the community.

A cross section of predominant comments from residents:

- Loss of the parking at the Tavern has caused major parking issues
- Stopped using the local shops due to the parking problems
- Parking is in crisis
- Train users cause problems with parking
- Parking on grass verges

Section 4 - Local Services in Marston Green – Click here for Graph 4

Whilst the survey reflects that most services are currently adequate, there is a strong feeling that the doctors and schools can take no further pressure. The survey also reflects that fewer takeaways are required within the village.

A cross section of predominant comments from residents:

- Difficult to get doctor's appointments
- More houses would have an adverse impact on services
- Difficultly in parking when visiting the doctors
- Problems with parking around school times

Section 5 - Employment Opportunity and Loss of Green Belt – Click here for Graph 5

The survey demonstrates that our community wants employment opportunities; however, this should not be at the cost of Green Belt land as Graph 5 clearly indicates.

A cross section of predominant comments from residents:
- Already empty office space in Marston Green
- Empty offices on Birmingham Business Park

Comments of the Parish Council on Emerging Core Strategy Policies

There are currently two housing development proposals within the Emerging Core Strategy for Marston Green which are identified as Phases 1 and 2. There is also a suggested loss of 23 acres of Green Belt land on Coleshill Heath Road/Chester Road for an extension to the Business Park.

The Parish Council's view is that the two proposed sites; Moat House Farm, 120 homes and Chelmsley Lane/Coleshill Road, 150 homes, should not have been identified as predetermined housing sites within the Emerging Core Strategy and should not have been identified within Phases 1 and 2.

It is our understanding that emerging Government's policy suggests that no site within the consultation document should have been pre-determined by the local authority against the wishes of the local community. We therefore believe that these sites should have the same status as all other sites within the borough and that developers should be asked to make their case based on a proper assessment of local community needs.

Following our recent community consultation, the Parish Council believes there should be a policy within the Emerging Core Strategy which details the minimum amount of consultation evidence required prior to a development proposal being accepted. The approach taken at page 18 is deficient in this regard as it leaves open to developers the opportunity to interpret need and develop a case which they believe is appropriate for development. This clearly does not reflect the views of the Marston Green community as demonstrated in the survey results. There should be a requirement within Policy 4 and Policy 7 to consult locally on a development brief taking in to account clear local need before a site is supported for development.

The Parish Council is aware that the Localism Bill has now been published which provides freedom, opportunity and rewards if a local community, with the support of a qualifying body such as the Parish Council, develops a neighbourhood plan to support its community's needs.

The Emerging Core Strategy needs to take into full consideration the emerging government policy and the requirements of our community, meeting local needs and sharing the reward for development within the community.

The Parish Council has concerns that the Emerging Core Strategy reflects a 'numbers- based' approach for Marston Green rather than a locally determined 'needs' approach. If the consultation document started from the premise of consulting on the needs of the communities rather than using a number based approach, which seems to flow from the now redundant Regional Spatial Strategy, then a clearer view on the needs of the community would have been gained and greater opportunity for the community to have influenced the type of development would emerge. Instead the present outcome for Marston Green is that a developer is likely to submit an application based on numbers rather than local needs and the quality of the scheme. The Parish Council supports the views of the community, which is clearly evidenced, that any future development within Marston Green should meet demonstrated community needs.

The village infrastructure cannot support more homes and importantly there is no justification or wish to lose any further Green Belt land for employment purposes. Within the community and wider borough, Green Belt land has already been released over a number of years for employment uses and most of these sites have not yet been fully developed. The Parish Council has yet to see evidence that these areas are utilised to their full capacity. Marston Green is well served by Birmingham Airport, National Exhibition Centre, Elmdon Trading Estate and the Birmingham Business Park which in itself has the status of a High Technology Business Campus.

The Parish Council does not agree with the proposal in Policy 6 which changes the status of the land adjacent to Business Park from Green Belt. It is our opinion that this should not be included within the policy. This land provides a Green Belt buffer between commercial development of Birmingham Business Park and the distinct community which is Marston Green. This land should not be made a special case. Its status has been confirmed through public enquiry and through determination by the Secretary of State. The land should retain its status as protected Green Belt land. The Parish Council strongly believes that the site should be removed from Policy 6 and also from the adjacent table (site 6).

The Parish Council supports Policy 11 which provides open spaces to communities and would support the increase in facilities for younger people.

The Parish Council supports Policy 10 ensuring local services are retained and supported but would welcome inclusion of a policy dealing with local parking issues, which threaten commercial viability and local services. This should be incorporated within either Policy 10 or Policy 13.

The Parish Council strongly supports the concept of major planning applications requiring a full transport impact assessment. The Parish Council believes that the policy should be revised to mitigate development which places excessive pressure on local communities.

Although the Parish Council supports the principle of Park and Ride schemes, this present facility around the Station attracts large volumes of traffic to the local community of Marston Green. Parking is currently inadequate and creates problems which are well evidenced and reflected in our survey results. This type of facility attracts commuters from outside the local community creating further parking issues around Marston Green Station. This has a significant impact on congestion, highway safety, and the local shops and services. Policy 13 does not address these problems and needs to take into account current issues with parking at stations. The Parish Council would be seriously concerned if Marston Green Station were to be identified for any development of an additional Park and Ride scheme.

The Parish Council, having reviewed the Emerging Core Strategy, would request that Solihull MBC, following consultation, revises this strategy, which we trust will incorporate the views of Bickenhill Parish Council and the residents of Marston Green.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Carole M Cox
Clerk to the Council