Public demand say on plan to build on green belt
FURIOUS councillors and community groups have reacted with anger after details of when the public will have their say on the first stage of building on Sutton Coldfield’s green belt land were confirmed.
The date of September 10 has now been set as the start of the consultation period on detailed plans to build homes on land in Langley and an industrial park in Peddimore – close to Walmley and Minworth respectively – but it comes more than a year after that consultation was first due to take place.
The date was revealed to members of the Walmley and Minworth councillor-led consultative group which is disappointed that there will be a further delay because of the holiday period.
The controversial project will see around 5,500 homes, schools, and ancillary facilities built as part of the Birmingham Development Plan 2031.
Chairman of the consultative group, Councillor Ken Wood (Con, Walmley and Minworth), said: “This latest announcement makes Birmingham City Council look extremely bad, we’ve been very patient with delay after delay with no real reason except its with senior management.
“Our residents think Birmingham cannot be trusted and that the latest date is just another plucked out of thin air.”
Group members were also dismayed that, despite promis- es, it has become clear that there are still no firm proposals on transport link and infrastructure improvements, despite the need for all these being highlighted in the consultation for the original Birmingham plan.
Time is running out, with planning applications from developers anticipated in early 2019.
The earliest adoption date would be January that year, leaving the city council with very little room for manoeuvre.
Meanwhile, Cllr Wood and fellow Walmley and Minworth Tory representative, Cllr David Barrie said they are arranging for the group to meet the developers for both Langley and Peddimore.
Cllr Barrie said: “Even if the city council cannot tell us their plans, we cannot miss the opportunity of influencing others.”