Decision on Babbs Mill housing plan due next week

WILDLIFE CORRIDOR: Otters are among the species that
have been recorded in the Cole Valley.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new housing development at Babbs Mill have been recommended for approval.
Solihull Council's planning committee is expected to decide on Wednesday (March 2) whether to grant planning permission for the 52-house scheme, which has been at the centre of a long-running dispute.
More than 1,800 residents have signed a petition against the proposals and the parish councils at both Kingshurst and Fordbridge have urged the committee to throw out the application.
Undoubtedly the most unpopular element of the scheme is that it will lead to the loss of almost a quarter of Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve, a well-known wildlife habitat.
Other fears raised by local people include an increase in traffic along Cooks Lane and the fact that none of the dwellings which form part of the development qualify as affordable housing.
Action for Babbs Mill, the campaign group which has protested against the plans, has made a passionate case for councillors to dismiss the project.
In a report released this week, the council argues that the loss of part of the nature reserve could be offset by making improvements to the remainder of the site.
The developers would be required to contribute around £116,000 towards the package, which would include new seating, tree planting and the creation of meadow areas.
The officer who has compiled the document concludes that the improvements would "mitigate for the loss" of land.
The decision-making session - which is open to the public - will be held at Solihull Civic Suite, starting at 6pm.
A separate application to build 24 homes on Windward Way Industrial Estate, Smith's Wood, is expected to be heard the same evening.

• Other Side of Solihull will be live-tweeting during the meeting @North_Solihull and will publish the outcome on Wednesday.