Residents urged to have their say on Babbs Mill plan

RESIDENTS have vowed to continue the fight to prevent part of a treasured nature reserve being handed over to housing developers.
Solihull Council and its partners recently launched a consultation on the next phase of residential development across North Solihull – including the controversial plans to build on an area of Babbs Mill Park – and local people are being urged to make their feelings known.
The plans were first unveiled in 2012 and although the size of the development is now smaller than the council originally envisioned, the scheme could yet prove one of the most controversial aspects of the area’s multi-million pound regeneration project.
A local residents’ group, Action for Babbs Mill, have been busy making their case against the plans, which could see several dozen homes built on a wedge of land off Lark Meadow Drive.
Their main objections include extra traffic along the already congested Cooks Lane and the loss of green space in one of Solihull’s most densely populated wards.
A group spokesman said: “Our beautiful park should never be built on; it is our legacy to our children and focal point for the local community to come together as one.
“We are constantly being told in the north of the borough that we need to exercise more and that the age difference between people who die in the south and the north is ten years. Why then the need to rip up parkland and a nature reserve to build houses?”
Sarah Evans, who chairs the group, told Other Side of Solihull that a public meeting held earlier this month was “very positive”.
Over 2,000 leaflets were delivered to local homes advertising the event, with Councillor Robert Hall (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) and David Cole, chairman of Kingshurst Parish Council, among the guest speakers.
While the fight to stop the housing development remains the focus for campaigners, the action group has also opened dialogue with council officials about improving facilities and holding more events in the park, with Ms Evans describing the initial discussions as “productive.”
The North Solihull Regeneration Partnership will be holding the third of three consultation events at the Pavilions Sports Club, Meriden Drive today (Wednesday) from 3-8pm.
The partnership said the event was a chance for people to view the initial designs and that their comments would help to shape the plans which will subsequently be submitted to Solihull Council’s planning committee.
For more information visit www.northsolihull.co.uk