800 people sign petition against Babbs Mill housing plan

A FRESH attempt has been made to stop controversial plans to strip part of a picturesque park of its “local nature reserve” status.

Around 800 residents have signed a petition against the proposals, which will pave the way for dozens of homes to be built on Babbs Mill Park.

In total, almost two hectares will be removed from the nature reserve and up to 70 houses built there between now and 2018.

There has been widespread criticism since the wedge of land, off Foxglove Crescent, was first earmarked for housing in Solihull's Draft Local Plan.

The latest attempt to prevent the development is being lead by Councillor Debbie Evans (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge).

She has repeatedly clashed with her former Tory colleagues over the issue and believes it is vital that the “well-used site” is preserved.

Councillor Ian Courts, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, has argued that only a small part of the 24 hectare parkland will be built on and that the remaining land will have its LNR status re-declared.

“The independent inspector who examined the draft local plan concluded that the loss of less than two hectares would not seriously erode its nature conservation value,” he said.

Babbs Mill was created in 1977 to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and achieved the prestigious Green Flag Award a few years ago.

Solihull Council’s own website describes the site as a “haven for wildlife”, supporting creatures including bats, owls and wildfowl.

OUTCRY: Labour MP Gloria De Piero (centre) took
part in a protest at the site in 2012

Timeline:

January 2012: Land at Babbs Mill is identified as one of 20 sites around Solihull where new houses will be built over the next 15 years. Residents accuse the council of trying to take away precious green space in the north of the borough.

May 2012: Labour MP Gloria De Piero joins residents for an outdoor protest at the site. Local man Philip Richards, among those who turn out for the demonstration, fears that houses will be “packed in like sardines”.

Summer 2012: In reaction to the public outcry, Solihull Council agrees to reduce the number of homes earmarked for Babbs Mill to 70, but resists calls to scrap the development altogether.

August 2012: Natural England, the public body which conserves and enhances the environment, warns the local authority that the area of land earmarked for housing would have to be stripped of LNR status before any building could take place.

January 2013: David Jamieson, Solihull’s then Labour leader, tells a public inquiry that residents are “incandescent with anger” about the overdevelopment of the area.

August 2014: The row is renewed, with Coun Evans claiming that local opinion has been disregarded.