MP: Suburb at risk from student block developers
A BLOCK of student flats could be the beginning of the end for the unique independent character of a south Birmingham suburb, turning it into the next hotspot for profit-hungry landlords, an MP claims.
Labour MP Steve McCabe has urged planning chiefs to withstand schemes that increase the student population in Stirchley or it will end up like neighbouring Bournbrook – taken over by student accommodation and houses of multiple accommodation.
In a letter to the city council’s planning department, he said: “The planning committee cannot and should not stand by and allow the unique character of this area to be lost in the thirst for profits from another student landlord.
“Purpose-built student accommodation and HMOs have all but taken over the neighbouring Bournbrook area and we know from experience that is extremely difficult to limit the number of small HMOs that will inevitably grow in Stirchley if it becomes an extension of Bournbrook and the new target of landlords whose only interest is to make a profit.”
His anger has been triggered by a plan to demolish two Victorian family homes and replace them with a five-storey block of student apartments at 12561258 Pershore Road.
He says the plans are inappropriate and “out of sync” with the residential area of families, young professionals and older people.
He also says there is a “wealth” of student accommodation already in Bournbrook and Selly Oak, alongside HMOs aimed at the student market, adding: “The university itself currently has plans for its own student accommodation and there are a number of developments that have been or will soon be completed, as well as numerous planning approvals for student accommodation in the Bournbrook area.”
Mr McCabe claimed some landlords operating nearby have been “buying up family homes only to extend them, often illegally, to cram more students in for profit”.
“Stirchley has had a raw deal in terms of planning issues, with the fiasco over the Fitness First/Lidl site and the former Tesco site which has been derelict for years.
“What I am asking is for the planning committee and the planning department to put the Stirchley community first and reject this latest application for student flats.”
He is encouraging local submit their comments.
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