Update on the Bournville Eco Village plans

Over the last few days there has been reports about a planned ‘Bournville Eco Village’ on the site of the woodlands on Sparrey Drive and behind houses on Oxford Street.

Although this site is not in Stirchley ward, it boarders it and backs on to houses in the ward. So, it felt appropriate to inform Stirchley residents of additional information to clear up some confusion. Most of the information from the article has come from the developers’ website bournvilleecovillage.co.uk and as yet there have been no plans submitted to the council for approval, meaning that this is still very much in the pre-planning stages.

Ian MacLeod, director of planning, transport & sustainability for Birmingham City Council, wrote that he discussed these proposals with the developer in early February. He has also clarified “The site is of local importance to nature conservation and is also subject to a Tree Protection Order. Development on the site would not be supported.”

The article from the Daily Mail quotes the councillor for Stirchley, Councillor Mary Locke, but the woodlands are in fact in the Bournbrook & Selly Park ward.

A petition to save the Bournbrook Historic Woodlands has been set up by local residents who are concerned about the ecological and environmental impact of removing trees and disruption an eco community centre would have on residents, especially with an existing community centre a few meters away.

Since the national interest in the development, Bournville Eco Village’s website has a new notice that reads, in part; “We have not yet decided on the best way to move forward, as we are waiting on various assessments focused on the ecological impact on the woods. We hope you can see that we care about the environment from the people that we have chosen to work with on this project.” They have also said they intend to hold a public meeting to discuss their ideas with local residents in a few months’ time.

Neighbourhood Forum AGM & updates

This is a reminder that our AGM will be next Monday (9th November) at 7.30pm online. We will send the link to you nearer the time so please look out for it.

We need 32 Stirchley residents to attend to be quorate and ensure that we get our annual grant which pays for room hire, etc. Hopefully we will soon need to pay room hire when we can meet in person.

Minutes of the AGM 2019 and SGM 2020, Annual Report and Annual Accounts will appear on our website.

The committee would love to welcome new committee members so please volunteer. We need an email from the person nominated and one from the person nominating them, giving their name and address (both need to live in Stirchley Ward) by 5pm on Friday (6th) sent to stirchley.forumb30@gmail.com

COVID Community Champions

Given the recent changes to COVID regulations please consider becoming a COVID Community Champion. It is a great way to find out what can and can’t be done and gain information that you can share within your networks (road, family, groups, etc). Further information can be found here
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50231/coronavirus_covid-19/2256/covid-19_community_champions/3 

Selly Oak Constituency Online Mini Conference – HMO’s & the Private Rented Sector

You are invited to join an online mini conference around the Private Rented Sector organised by Councillor Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Homes & Neighbourhoods. There will be guest speakers along with representatives from other partner agencies to provide information and answer questions.

The event will be taking place on Thursday 5 November at 6.30pm – 8.30pm via Zoom and the link to join is below. Please feel free to share these details with anyone else you know who might be interested in joining the conference.

Link to join the conference;
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97647099343?pwd=WjluSUJHVkJXRW9mZ0hYVUF5Uks2Zz09
Meeting ID: 976 4709 9343
Passcode: 835605
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ac1FsMlOBf