Council ‘sneaked’ sale of green space through
A BATTLE to preserve a popular green space in Sutton Coldfield has intensified after a councillor claimed the city council tried to “sneak” a proposed sale of the land out unnoticed.
Roughley city councillor Ewan Mackey, was angered after Birmingham City Council’s property services department sent notice of a proposal to sell a plot at the junction of Withy Hill Road and Poplar Avenue for development on December 20.
The council said the land was “surplus to requirements”.
He believes the move was timed to coincide with the Christmas and New Year break and even coincided with the Conservative group’s Christmas party. The plot, some 331 sq m, is next to 47 Withy Hill Road and is proposed to go to public auction if Birmingham City Council’s cabinet gives its approval.
Councillor Mackey said: “I was very disappointed that Birmingham City Council started this process as everyone was starting their Christmas break. It’s almost as if they were trying to sneak this through unnoticed.
“Green spaces play an important role in our towns and cities. They are key to the attractiveness of an area, good for wildlife, dictate the character of our town and aid everyone’s mental wellbeing.
“It will have a big effect on the street scene on that road. The council is developing the other side of Poplar Avenue by building 15 bungalows, due to the building already on that side being defunct.
“I haven’t a problem with regenerating a defunct building, but this section on the other side is a valuable amenity and it’s loss is a loss to the whole community.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “It is normal practice for ward members to be given a 10-day window for comments on reports of this nature.
“In this particular instance, given the Christmas period, this period was extended to 19 days and then extended again to January 10 at Cllr Mackey’s request.
“The land in question is managed by the council’s housing department but is now surplus to requirements and comes with a management liability.
“A review of the site has established that it would be suitable for potential development of a single house plot and it is therefore the council’s intention to offer the site for sale by auction.”