Proposed housing development in Winson Green

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Dear Birmingham City Council,

An outline planning application from Rochda Ltd seeks permission to build five housing blocks, ranging from five to seven storeys, at Western Business Park, Great Western Close, Winson Green.

The plans for 310 new homes have been recommended for approval by the BCC planning officer, despite a suggestion that the site could be better used as a nature reserve, with respondents to a public consultation voicing concerns that the "proposed buildings are too high and the development over-intense" with "no benefit to the local community".

An online article from The Evening Mail quotes the planning officer as saying, "The application proposals are considered, on balance, acceptable and would comprise an appropriate form of residential development. Whilst it is regrettable that the development would not be able to sustain financial contributions or on site affordable housing, the benefits that could be achieved through a net gain of biodiversity, the provision of accessible and usable public open space, and the delivery of a substantial quantum of residential development."

The proposed development does not appear to include any 'family homes', which are needed in the area and which would be more likely to establish a 'community' in the new development, than would the proposed 310 apartments, and more likely to contribute to and benefit the existing local community.

The planning officer's statement indicates that approval of the plans is recommended, without the usual requirement of a Section 106 agreement and inclusion of 'affordable housing'.

I'd be grateful for answers to the following questions:

1. What is the BCC planning officer's rationale for recommending approval of a large development, with no family housing included, in Winson Green, an area in need of family housing.

2. What is the BCC planning officer's rationale for recommending approval of this large development, without a 'financial contribution' in the form of a Section 106 agreement, nowadays an expected requirement of planning approval for a large development, when the developer's profit from the sale of the proposed properties is likely to be millions of pounds.

3. What is the BCC planning officer's rationale for recommending approval of a large development, which does not include any 'on site affordable housing', nowadays an expected requirement of planning approval for large developments, when the developer's profit from the sale of the proposed properties is likely to be millions of pounds.

4. In what way(s) does the BCC planning officer consider this to be "an appropriate form of residential development".

Yours faithfully,

Linda Baddeley

Birmingham City Council

 
 
 
 
Information request
Our reference: 19308086
Your reference: [FOI #706027 email]

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Birmingham City Council

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Information request
Our reference: 19308086
Your reference: [FOI #706027 email]

show quoted sections