Fir Tree School Site, Opposition to Planning Applic DC14/56717

Points from The Quirk Review - Making Assets Work. An asset not used in the public interest can lead to local resentment and risk community cohesion. It can have a negative impact on other stakeholders and the wider community.

We the undersigned object to planning application DC/14/56717 submitted by Persimmon Homes detailing the use of the whole site for the building of 66 dwellings and 12 apartments. We request that the football pitch and green open space  be retained for use by the community with associated small centre/changing rooms and the preservation of the Millenium Wood that was planted by the then kids of the school. We suggest that the remainder of the land be looked at to build 2 bedroom bungalows and 1 bed apartments. The estate can not cope with any larger builds, the local schools and GP's are already struggling to accomodate the overpopulation of the estase.

NOTES:

There have been 2 previous petitions regarding this site and many matters and issues that were raised have yet to receive responses from Sandwell MBC. These include a full and detailed response to Agenda Item 5 of the Asset Management and Land Disposal Cabinet Committee meeting held on 19 June 2013. There were also additional questions submitted that remain unanswered.

There is a development -The Oxford Road that 2 bedroom bungalows. Can this scheme or similar be replicated.

There is a precedent for keeping a football pitch and building a changing room that being on the Churchfield site.

There is a precedent for a Persimmon Home application being thrown out in order to save a green space. 26th July 2013 Birmingham City Council planners threw out an application for 129 homes on a former primary school's (Martineau Centre) playing fields. A Labour Councillor stated that the application should fail as their own policy stated that where playing pitches are in short supply, development should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. Another Labour Council suggested that the developer draw up a proposa which includes a smaller number of houses mixed with a community or commercial sports facility.

We ask that we are heard and treated in a similar manner please.