MP makes dig about Chelmsley Wood in Parliamentary debate

AN MP has invited criticism after making a jibe about Chelmsley Wood in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Conservative backbencher Stewart Jackson (pictured, above) described the estate as "a brutalist horror" during a debate on whether or not to extend shop opening hours on Sunday.
His barbed remarks came after Meriden MP Caroline Spelman - who represents North Solihull -  had suggested that the best way forward would be to only relax the current trading laws in tourist areas.
Mr Jackson told Mrs Spelman this approach wouldn't work because councils would have too much freedom to decide what qualified as a tourist area.
"People might come to Warwickshire, near her own constituency and visit Stratford [Upon-Avon] and yet she has Chelmsley Wood in her constituency which is, some might say, a brutalist horror which could be reclassified potentially as a tourist attraction."
Mrs Spelman, who was sitting nearby, was apparently unimpressed by the comments and appeared to say:"It's not a horror."
In the end the proposals to relax Sunday trading laws were defeated by 317 votes to 286.

New care home will be built in Chelmsley Wood

A SIXTY-bed care home for elderly people with dementia will form part of the final phase of the Chelmund's Cross development.
It was confirmed this week that the facility would be designed, built and operated by Runwood Homes - which run around 65 homes around the country.
A public event will be held in the coming months which will give local residents an opportunity to view the plans before they are submitted to Solihull Council.
The local authority has said the home will be "the final piece of the jigsaw" for Chelmund's Cross, with the finished village centre also boasting a dental practice, pharmacy and several shops.

Survey suggests Solihull more Eurosceptic than its neighbours

SOLIHULL residents are generally more Eurosceptic than people in neighbouring areas, a new survey has suggested.
Polling company YouGov has examined attitudes towards the European Union and built an interactive map to demonstrate the differences of opinion around the country.
A survey of 200 Silhillians suggests that the borough has a less favourable view of Europe than Birmingham, Coventry or Warwickshire.
The research only looked at Solihull as a whole, so there was no clear evidence whether the north of the borough differed in any great way from those areas south of the A45.
Walsall was among those areas apparently most likely to support leaving the EU, while the residents in Ceredigion, in mid-Wales, had the most positive view of Europe in the whole of the UK.

Police appeal following Castle Bromwich car-jacking

WANTED: Police have released these CCTV images
following the robbery on the Parkfields estate

MASKED men armed with metal bars robbed a man in broad daylight outside his Castle Bromwich home.
Police have made a public appeal for information following the brutal car-jacking, which happened in Stoneymoor Drive last Thursday (February 25).
The 57-year-old victim was on the driveway with his wife when a white Ford Kuga pulled up outside.
The two men, whose faces were covered, jumped out of the vehicle and demanded the man hand over the keys to his Audi Q7.
When he refused they struck him several times with a bar and one of the robbers managed to snatch the car keys, before the pair sped away from the scene.
The man was taken to hospital following the assault, but fortunately had not suffered any serious injuries.
Police have now released CCTV footage of two men they want to speak to in connection with the car-jacking, which happened at around 9am in the morning.
Anyone with information should call Det Con Jon Rankin on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Homeless clinic at Chelmsley Wood Library

A WEEKLY homeless clinic at Chelmsley Wood Library is providing support for local people.
The sessions every Friday are to help those already sleeping on the streets or who are at risk of homelessness, due to difficulties like a relationship breakdown or problems with their landlord.
The service is operating at a time when rough sleeping has risen dramatically. On any one night, there are thought to be more than 3,500 people in England on the streets - more than double the number recorded in 2010.
The clinic runs at the library from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Heartbreak for residents as plans to build on Kingshurst nature reserve are approved

PLANS to build more than 50 homes at Babbs Mill have been approved by Solihull Council, despite fierce opposition from local residents.
The housing development, which will see the loss of part of a local nature reserve, was given the go-ahead this evening.
Ahead of the vote, members had heard passionate pleas from ward councillors and the campaign group Action for Babbs Mills not to build on the well-known wildlife habitat.
In the end the planning committee voted in favour of the plans by a majority of six to three.
Councillor Jeff Potts (Con, Knowle), who previously represented Kingshurst, said that helping to meet the housing need was worth "the sacrifice."
But Coun John Windmill (Lib Dem, Olton) suggested the scheme was tantamount to "the plunder" of green space and claimed that the odd swing or roundabout didn't make up for the loss of land.
A full story and further reaction to tonight's decision will feature in this month's edition of the Other Side of Solihull e-newspaper.

HS2 roadshow in Chelmsley Wood this week

GET the latest information on the high-speed rail link at a public roadshow which is taking place in Chelmsley Wood this week.

The event is an opportunity to find out what the scheme will mean for the local area, with a chance to examine plans and talk to transport experts.

The multi-billion pound line, which will pass near to Yorkminster Drive, has been at the centre of fierce debate ever since plans were announced.

There have been fears about the noise for those living nearest to the track, the loss of open space and congestion through Castle Bromwich during the construction period.

However, supporters claim that the project will be a major boost for the local economy, with Meriden MP Caroline Spelman recently claiming it would encourage many more companies to invest locally.

The roadshow takes place at Chelmsley Wood Town Council, Helmswood Drive on Thursday (March 3). Members of the public are welcome between 2-8pm.