Birmingham City Council planning committee have today refused an application for a 950 bed housing development on the site of the former North Worcestershire Golf Club in Northfield.
In the same meeting, the committee has unanimously approved an application for a leisure complex, including a cinema and gym, for Longbridge Town Centre.
North Worcestershire Golf Club
Ten members of the committee of twelve this morning voted to support city planning officers’ recommendation to refuse the application for a 950 home development on the site of the former North Worcestershire Gold Course in Hanging Lane.
Planning Officer Ben Plenty had again recommended that the committee refuse the application for two key reasons:
- The site was ruled out for housing development in January this year when the government’s chief planning officer accepted the Birmingham Development Plan.
- Concerns remain about ecology & landscaping.
Following the decision, Cllr Andy Cartwright (Labour, Longbridge), who addressed the committee alongside resident Gerald Kennedy, said: “I’m really pleased that this application has been rejected. The plans kept changing and it was clear to me, speaking to local residents, that this development is not wanted at all.
“I’m really proud of the residents who turned up at the planning committee meeting to support myself and Gerald Kennedy. I would like to thank Gerald for his strong words to the committee and everyone who has supported the opposition to this development by signing the petition or putting forward their views.”
Longbridge independent councillor Ian Cruise said: “I am pleased the planning committee made the correct decision to reject the application for housing on the former North Worcestershire Golf Course, especially in light of the ferocious opposition from local residents, our Member of Parliament & Councillors of all parties. I’d personally like to pay tribute to Mr Kennedy, speaking on behalf of local residents for excellently articulating the case for the rejection of the application.
“I am disappointed Bloor Homes continue to pursue the application, despite the site being omitted from the Birmingham Development Plan & having a flawed application that doesn’t address ecological, infrastructural & revenue cost issues – especially about who would pick up the costs for the maintenance of the proposed new school, sports pitches, road maintenance etc. and who would maintain the proposed flood retaining pools.
“No doubt Bloor Homes will out of spite, needlessly appeal this decision to the Planning Inspectorate & Secretary of State, costing the City Council valuable funds in legal costs. I urge them today to take the moral decision, listen to the local residents & withdraw this needless application once & for all”
Cinema, gym and restaurant for Longbridge
An application from Longbridge developers St Modwen for a new leisure complex at the heart of the new ‘town centre’was unanimously approved by the committee.
The proposed leisure development will occupy land adjacent to Smyths Toys store and will create around 140 jobs once completed.
The modern building would be home to a 9 screen ‘the light’ cinema, a health and fitness ‘the gym’ gymnasium and 6 restaurant units.