Part Two: Centres and Site Allocations (Regulation 18)

Object

Representation ID: 387

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Friends of Colley Gate

Number of people: 321

Petition for 321 people - split between written PDF and an excel spreadsheet, both included in attachments. Duplicate sheets in the PDF have been removed.

As members of the Friends of Colley Gate community group, we have dedicated countless hours to transforming the green space on Highfield Road and Foredraft Street into a small oasis. Our efforts have been rewarded with a vibrant, thriving natural environment that benefits our community in Cradley, Halesowen. However, this precious green space is under threat due to Dudley's Local Plan which proposes to build 18 houses here.

Green spaces are not just aesthetic additions but they play an essential role in our urban environments. According to the World Health Organization, they promote physical activity, mental health and overall well-being among residents. Moreover, they contribute significantly towards biodiversity conservation and climate regulation.

The loss of this green space would be detrimental not only for us but also for future generations who deserve access to such natural environments within their urban landscapes. We understand the need for housing development but it should not come at the cost of destroying valuable green spaces that serve as a refuge for both people and wildlife.

We urge Dudley Council to reconsider their decision and exclude Highfield Road and Foredraft Street Green Space from their local plan and correctly designate the site as green space. Let us preserve what little nature we have left in our urban areas instead of replacing them with concrete structures.

Object

Representation ID: 489

Received: 15/12/2023

Respondent: Friends of Colley Gate

I am writing to you on behalf of the Friends of Colley Gate group who have raised concerns around the inclusion of Highfield Green as a prospective location for future housing development in the Dudley Local Plan 2041.

I understand that the Local Authority previously rejected a planning application for the construction of eleven new properties on this piece of land in 2020 on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the visual appearance and character of the area. A similar application was submitted again in 2021, but the plans were subsequently withdrawn by the applicant.

The Draft Local Plan identifies green space on Highfield Road and Foredraft Street as a piece of land with potential for eighteen new dwellings. I recognise that the Council must take steps to ensure that housing needs are met across the Dudley borough moving forward, but I do share concerns raised by members of the group and local councillors around the selection of this site and the loss of vital green space in the area.

In my role as Member of Parliament, I visited Highfield Green earlier this year and spoke with residents and members of the Friends of Colley Gate, who explained that they frequently use the land for exercise and relaxation, and they are currently working with the Local Authority to make it more accessible for wheelchair users. As I am sure you will appreciate, the loss of this green space
would not only be extremely disappointing for the local community, but it would also be detrimental to the environment and local habitat.

I would be grateful if you could confirm that these concerns have been noted and will be logged as
part of the public consultation on the Dudley Local Plan.