THERE has recently been disappointing news for
Chelmsley Wood residents waiting to
discover how they will be compensated
for the impact of HS2.
Locals had been hoping that a
significant improvement project would be
announced to make up for the loss of part
of Heath Park.
One proposal would have been to invest
money in Bluebell Park, a short distance
away, but at a recent meeting it was confirmed
that any scheme would not be specifically
incorporated into HS2’s mitigation
measures.
Instead it would depend on a successful
bid to the project’s Community and
Environment Fund.
Coun Karl Macnaughton (Green,
Chelmsley Wood) said: “That is obviously a
potential avenue for some improvements.
“I am disappointed. I was very much led
to believe there would be more to come
... and if that’s all that’s come I think that’s
quite poor.”
Dame Caroline Spelman had said that
she would like to see residents offered
assistance in preparing bids.
“It is going to require a bit of extra
help. Goodwill will stand you in good
stead during what is inevitably a period of
disruption.”
Residents have been pushing for
answers for several years as to how they
will be compensated for the removal of
land at Heath Park.
It had originally been hoped that
a replacement open space would be
provided at Brickfields Farm.
But this proposal was ruled out when
the HS2 plans progressed through the
House of Lords.
This prompted some to suggest that the
improvements to Bluebell Park would be a
sensible alternative.
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