Councillors throw out gates plan for ‘millionaires’ estate
Residents said they feared the security measure would divide community
CONTROVERSIAL plans to install gates at three entrances to a private “millionaires’’ estate in Sutton Coldfield have been thrown out following concerns they would divide the community.
The security gates and CCTV were proposed for three entrances to Little Aston Park at Little Aston.
Objectors said gated communities were socially divisive and would affect emergency vehicles attempting to enter the estate, as well as causing cars to reverse on main roads.
But supporters said the gates would improve safety for residents and reduce crime, blocking “undesirable access to the area”.
The gates were proposed for the junctions of Keepers Road and Walsall Road; Endwood Drive and Rosemary Hill Road; and Park Drive and Rosemary Hill Road.
Agent Paul Harris, who spoke in support of the application at a council planning committee meeting on Monday, said: “The main drive of this application is to reduce the incidences of crime within the park and the number of burglaries within the park, one of which has resulted in the death of a homeowner.
“The gates will reduce the number
of unsolicited vehicles whose purposes are less than wholesome.
“There is no objection from the conservation officer in terms of gate design and there are no objections from the arboricultural officer, subject to tree protection measures.
“The estate is a private one – I can’t see the case that the application would have any impact on the level of social cohesion.”
But Little Aston Park resident Valerie Thomas, who spoke against the application, said: “The creation of a gated community undermines community cohesion and goes against positive planning for all.
“This application is to gate 50 per cent of the entrances to Little Aston Park. If vehicles can enter freely security is wholly compromised. Modern technology is available to increase security which doesn’t have an adverse impact.”
Committee members also spoke out on community cohesion concerns – and went against the recommendation of the council’s planning officers to approve the application by rejecting it instead.
Councillor Jeyan Anketell said: “I’m concerned about the effect on somebody trying to get out of the park and the ‘them and us’ culture of the gates being placed there.”
Councillor Wai-Lee Ho said: “These gates will (say) ‘you don’t belong here’ to the wider community. I fear this will cause social segregation.”
Birmingham City Council had already objected to the proposal because of its effect on highway safety, traffic flow and community integration.
But Staffordshire County Council, which had recommended refusal, later raised no objections to the plans on highways grounds subject to conditions including all vehicles and pedestrians being able to enter the gates automatically without security checks.
The initial recommendation was refused based on highway safety grounds. However, additional information was received prior to going to planning committee which sought to change the manner in which the proposed gates would operate, and therefore address the concerns raised by Staffordshire County Council Highways.