100 new homes set for site after decade-long store wars

MORE than 100 new houses are set to be built on a former industrial site in south Birmingham which became embroiled in a long-running ‘supermarket war’.

Revelan Group is behind plans to build 101 houses on the former Arvin Meritor site, in Stirchley, which will finally bring to an end a dispute spanning over a decade to open a supermarket in the city suburb.

Retail giant Asda submitted plans in summer 2011 to open a store on the disused plot, in Fordhouse Lane, but this drew objections from Tesco which said its planned shop for nearby Hazelwell Lane should take precedence.

The Asda project which dates back to 2001, was eventually rejected by Birmingham City Council and Tesco has since started work building its new shop in Hazelwell Lane.

The new residential development is formally known as Lifford Park and will contain a mix of one- and two-bedroom flats and houses ranging from two to four bedrooms.

A report for Birmingham City Council’s planning committee meeting said: “The proposal would provide sustainable residential development on a brownfield site, close to public transport links and local facilities, and with good accessibility through the site and to surrounding areas.

“While the proposal includes no affordable housing provision, a financial viability assessment submitted by the applicant has demonstrated the scheme would otherwise be unviable.”

The Arvin Meritor site was first developed as a brush works in the inter-war years and was later used as a car component factory.

It was eventually closed by the American parent company of Arvin Meritor and the majority of the buildings demolished in 2009 since when it has been used as a car park by city council staff based nearby.