Further along Hillfield Local nature Reserve (a Green Flag Park) the parkland adjoins the rear
of Monkspath Business Park. The business park, which has a good deal of industrial units, is
screened from the nature reserve by a high bund and substantial tree/shrub planting. This not
only screens any view but also helps to mitigate any noise. On the bund can be found
Common Orchids and the rare (for Solihull especially) Bee Orchid (see photographs 4 and 5
with email). This shows the established bund and planting, made some years ago, was
sympathetic and effective. This is not the case with the other part of the park/nature reserve.
(again, more photographs, numbered 1,2 and 3 via email).
What can be done?
Cllr Jim Ryan stated at one of the planning committee meetings (when the realisation that
industrial units had been agreed) we should'Mitigate, mitigate, mitigate'to reduce the impact
of noise and view. This has not taken place.
have another look at the development and take whatever means necessary
to ameliorate the situation. As well as the daytime the view at night is spoiled with security
'We
must use
lights glowing. When summer comes the view will be particularly spoiled.
planting
to
more
whatever funds remain from any section 106 agreement to undertake
effectively screen the development from the nature reserve, nearby houses and further afield,
I ask that officers
as is the case
in other parts of the nature reserye.
sorious attention is given to my letter, which has the Support from many residents,
especially those in Lakeside Drive and Thornton Road.
I ask that
Kind regards,
Nb. Eleven photographs via email attachment with leuer.
W
ls-l
t-l
"[%
M E T R O P O L I TA N
BOROUCH COUNCIL
COUNCILLOR KEN HAWKINS MA
3 Felgate Close
James Carpenter,
Hsad of Services - Developmenf lvlanagement
and Regulatio4
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Cormcil,
PO Box 11652
Central Library,
Homer Road,
Monkspath
Solihull
B9O 4XU
Tel. No: 0121 745 7819
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cllrkenhawkins.co.uk
Solihull,
891 9YA.
17 March 2075.
Dear James,
Re: Solihull Business
Park
Planning application 20141667,zA3Dt4l(and others) relate to the building of industrial
premises on Monkspath Hall Road and Highlands Road, known as SOLIHULL BUSINESS
PARK. The site is within Shirley South ward but two of the three units face directly onto and
join the boundary with part of Hillfields Local nature Reserve, which is in my watd, Blfihe.
As a long standing resident of Monkspath I am aware that the Highlands Road area had been
identified for commercial/business use. What did escape a lot of people was the direction,via
the planning inspectorate in early 2000, the laad eould be desiguated for 82 and B8 use. This
became a bit of an issue when the application went before the planning committee (which I
sat on for a few months in 2013). My initial objection, and that of residents was with V
Installations, which was to move into one of the units. Ho'wever, it soon became obvious the
problems were not with the companies themselves but the conditions set when allowing the
buildings. Please see photographs of scene - 9, 10 and 11 (attached to email).
The sheer size of the buildings on this site can been seen from a long way offand the planting
made to'mitigate'the scene from the parkland and highway is pitiflrl. Some 5 trees have been
planted and even allowing for long term growth will never screen the view. (Please refer to
photographs numbered 6,7 and 8 attached to email). I can only presume that no further
planting is planned by the developers. If this is the case then what we have on Solihull
Business Park and its affect on the local neighbour reserye was, in fact, planned. I do though
suspect this was not really the case and more attention is required.
'%.-