Save the Moorpool Estate

So it continues....

2010-10-02T04:41:00.002-01:00

While the focus of attention has moved away from this blog. The fight to maintain the character and environment of the Moorpool Estate continues. Legal action has been taken and thousands raised to pay for it. We will continue to apply pressure in whatever form best serves to protect the Moorpool Estate from inappropriate development and the lost of valuable allotment space.

For up to date information please see

http://www.moorpool.co.uk for the Moorpool Regeneration Group

and the Residents Association

http://www.moorpool.com/

Save the Moorpool Estate

www.moorpool.org.uk - Grainger want it all...

2008-01-31T09:56:00.000-01:00

Grainger have announced their intentions with a limited planning application. (details at the MRG website)

From many of the comments on Saturday, Grainger won't stop there, other applications will follow and now they have dropped any pretence of investment in the Moorpool estate community we can now see that they are only after the profit, leave us to deal with the liabilities left behind.

If this application is approved we could face losing everything else, the hall, the bowling green, tennis courts and the pond. Grainger won't stop until they have squeezed every penny in profit from our estate. Destruction of allotments, some worked for 100 years, loss of the open spaces we currently enjoy and removal of garages we could all use is the threat we face.

Investment is what's needed. Allotments, garages and the preservation and maintenance of the estate must come first. Tenants need repairs and maintenance that improves their homes, not the slap-dash cheap work that we hear so much about.

This blog has collected many opinions and comments about Grainger's plans which reflect that wholehearted rejections of their profiteering. The planning application will be sumbitted soon and we all need to be prepared to take the time to make the authorities aware of our opinions. Please have a look at the Moorpool Regeneration Group's website which is there to help us get the investment the estate needs.

2007-10-03T12:16:00.000-01:00

An open letter to Birmingham Council Planning authorities:

Dear Chris

As a resident of the Moor Pool Estate, there are many reason why I am concerned about the potential plans of the Grainger group.

We moved to this area for many reasons the most outstanding being this haven of wildlife and style of the buildings all adding to the charm and character to the area. It has a Miss Marple quaintness that appealed. We did consider other areas such as Hagley , Fladbury etc but were delighted to find this so near the city centre for work commitments. We bought this house, have invested all our savings and some, restored our house to a home and plan to be here for years to have and raise our family.

There were a few draw backs 1. the parking is a big struggle. A family with all the practical's space required by a family, for shopping buggies etc and having to parking on a stamp size space at the bottom of the road is a challenge most evenings however on weekends the pond, tennis courts and allotments make us feel proud and happy in the area and encourage us to remain local, shop local, invite people to the area etc .

We are very aware of the conservation status and being aware of some people range of taste felt that this was a marvellous way to ensure certain standards were maintained in keeping with the original plans. We have recently undertaken building work under the strict guidance and were happy to comply and paid extra for certain things eg. wooden windows at £1800 per window instead of PVC £3500 for complete house ! Can you imagine or surprise when we saw the plans for the eco houses which as someone described like a 1970's council estate/ rabbit hutches etc which are totally out of character with the area. I was horrified, upset and concerned. The practical thoughts coming to the surface - should we move before our house is devalued ? Should we stay to battle it out ? I notice another ''for sale'' on properties facing land owned by Grainger -eg facing the bowling green. It is a huge concern as some are these are long term residents to the area. There is a feeling of upset and general unease. We need to know that the Birmingham Council are there to support the existing residents, the area and will be as strict with the plans for Grainger and they were with our extension, windows, etc !

Please let the phynics be wrong - everyone is aware that they are a large corporate working on regeneration projects with BCC therefore relations are all ready in place and some are convinced that you must must be in cahoots? I appreciate your role is to review planning. Please please please take a stand this proposed development - please consider the factors, talk to the residents, see the comments [here on this website ] and http://www.thehacketts.fsworld.co.uk/

When so many other cities are being ruined let Birmingham be proud to be historic, allow us to celebrate this special area as we have with the BVT, the Back to backs etc .. allow this to be a living example of how it should be - a city garden area. Let Birmingham be an example to all the Cities in the UK, make an example of all the efforts of conservation, don't let planning take place in areas that are going to destroy any allotments, wildlife, sense of community. Some of the proposed plans make no sense to me ? Why knock one tennis court ( in v slight need of attention to build another in a new area, why not let people restore the garage to reduce existing problems of parking? why build on well maintained allotments ? and offer alternative space ? why not let people have allotments when people like myself have request them ? ? ? Why consider building on a conservation area ? Why knock trees that are given people in polluted city area O2, why build on areas know for flooding when we witnessed the damage of this in Cheltenham etc earlier in the year ? Why give the area a conservation status but consider building not in keeping with designs / materials etc ... please provide answers in the way by acting in the wishes of residence within the Birmingham City area.

Thank you for your time I shall await your decision with batted breath.

Sincerely

Anne-Marie F - resident

There are few in the Moorpool estate and around Harborne that do not share these views and all have more points to add. To help protect this area and secure the right future for the estate please write to or email (keep a copy) the planning officals to register objections. Simon Turner and Chris Hargreaves postal details are here.

Grainger’s 2nd public display of plans.

2007-09-01T13:28:00.000-01:00

As a repeat of the May proposals, Grainger have made little change to the proposed plans. Maximum profit still appears to be their aim. Our community will be left with the problems. There are still the same unresolved issues:
• The allotments and their status
• Car parking and garages
• Children's play areas
• Moorpool hall and its upkeep
• Grainger’s attitude to the development and resident’s views

Please add your comments on these and any other issues you discussed with Grainger or other residents today.

Grainger do not have any automatic right to develop and there are many and better alternatives that will benefit the community. Copies of the plans will be available on the MRG site.

Please post your comments, thoughts and any issues you raised with Grainger.

too much silence...

2007-08-29T18:57:00.000-01:00

Apologies for the blog going quiet in the past few months. As you may know there have been several development and the coming Graingers' representation of their plans. Please have a look at the Moorpool Regeneration Groups website CLICK HERE. This has all the up to date information. This blog will be back soon to keep the pressure on Grainger.

Gisela Stuart MP needs our views

2007-05-31T20:04:00.000-01:00

A circular has been distributed from Gisela Stuart asking for our views on the development proposals. Please use this opportunity to apply pressure on Grainger to change their plans.

Click here to see a copy of the circular.

Moorpool Residents' Association

2007-05-25T05:09:00.000-01:00

Mick O'Malley of the Residents Association has asked for contributions for the next Moorpool Duck. Please email them to mromalley@hotmail.com

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING ANNOUNCED

....a Special General Meeting of the
Residents Association, [is] to be held on 14/6, at 7.30 p.m., in The Moorpool
Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to seek the views of residents as to
whether they wish to form a Consultative Committee to put their views to
Grainger, and also to determine whether there is support for a Community
Trust. Please note that it will NOT be within the remit of the SGM to
discuss Grainger's plans ( if Grainger stick to their word (?), there will
an opportunity for this at another time ), and that the meeting is open to
residents only.

Mick O'Malley.

Grainger's 1st public consultation.

2007-05-20T16:41:00.000-01:00

Having seen the details of the suggested development and been able to discuss the issues with Grainger's people there are many issues still unresolved.
• The allotments and their status
• Car parking and garages
• Childrens play areas
• Moorpool hall and its upkeep
• Grainger’s attitude to the development and resident’s views

Please add your comments on these and any other issues you discussed with Grainger or other residents today.

The plans may change and there will be other opportunities in publicly and in private to voice the residents’ view on the estate’s future. Today was the first of many opportunities to change the plans. Nothing is fixed yet and the more pressure we apply the more likely we are to get more for the estate. Please post your comments and views from todays meeting and use the Grainger 'feed back' forms. Please keep a record of what you send to Grainger, it may be useful in the future.

If you would like a Grainger feedback form please email us (or them) and we'll send you a .pdf version you can print out and drop into the estate office. savethemoorpool@googlemail.com

Link to Birmingham Mail articles CLICK HERE

There will be a full public meeting.

2007-05-16T09:02:00.000-01:00

Below is an email recieved from Tim Nicholson at Grainger PLC:
_________________________________________
email: 15th of May
To follow up the notice posted on this site, a letter will be delivered to residents shortly to explain the change in format for Sunday’s event. We would like to reassure residents that following the drop-in session on Sunday we will arrange for a more formal public meeting to take place at a later date.
Yours sincerely,
Tim Nicholson, Grainger plc, tel: 01235 433 520
_________________________________________

We must take both opportunities to demonstrate the residents' depth and strength of feelings around the estate.

Grainger may change the public meeting!

2007-05-14T18:06:00.000-01:00

A posting has appeared that suggests Grainger PLC want to change the format of the meeting.

This change must be confirmed by Grainger PLC in writing to all residents, including Wentworth Road and Pereira Road.

•Is this the best way to conduct a public consultation?
•Is it acceptable to have a public consultation where no public presentation is made?
•Have Grainger PLC really got enough staff to deal knowledgeably with individual enquires in 6 hours?

Helping our neighbours........

2007-05-13T20:18:00.000-01:00

Thanks to Mick O’Malley for highlighting our oversight. We have overlooked those people who don't have access to the internet in the circular. May we ask people to email in comments from neighbours who can't directly add their own to the site and copy the emails to mromalley@hotmail.com for inclusion in the Moorpool Duck.

GARDEN SUBURB OF MOORPOOL ESTATE THREATENED....

2007-05-13T13:34:00.000-01:00

Below is a link to the circular distributed around the estate.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd4dkv6t_3p5h7ms

Please add comments by clicking the the word 'comments' below

Graingers' Master Plan documents

2007-05-10T21:51:00.000-01:00

For reference purposes below is a link to scans of Grainger's Master Plan. Due to technical limitations these are low resolution images. (you may need to print them to see the details)

Grainger's Master plan

Please email a request for a .pdf version or ask Grainger to send you one.

Grainger's plans are out!

2007-05-10T12:33:00.000-01:00

If you have not received your copy of the Grainger plans for the estate there'll be copies posted here soon. Please posts all and any comments by clicking the 'comments' link below this message. Remember, even if you agree (or disagree) with the comments already made please add your thought so we can collect together. So far most comments are attached to the first posting at the bottom of the page.

Recent information about the Moorpool Estate

2007-05-09T22:12:00.000-01:00

If you have not seen the Moorpool Duck news letter below is a link to copies.

Moorpool Duck newsletters

Ducks

There are older Ducks on the Moorpool residents association website, http://moorpool.com/duck/index.html
Of particular interest is Duck No. 18 & No. 19 that cover the conservation area status
Duck No.18 link
Duck No.19 link

Here's a news article from the Birmingham Mail from 16th of April 2007

Moorpool information

VIDEO LINK!! ITV News covered the alotments issue on Sunday the 24th of April.
Click on this link http://www.itvlocal.com/central/news/?player=CEN_News_26&void=65759 to play 'Developers threaten "green lung of city"'.

What's best for the Moorpool Estate?

2007-05-09T21:00:00.000-01:00

As a first posting on this site it's important to outline the discussion we are looking for. This is intended as an open forum to air your opinions on what's best for the Moorpool Estate. We welcome all comments. The as yet unpublished proposals from Grainger Trust PLC have created a lot of rumour and unease. Our intention is for this blog to gather peoples' views and thoughts, anonymously if you wish, so that,

Grainger Trust PLC,
the residents association,
the CAM&P/steering committee members,
Birmingham Council representitives & officers
Moorpool Estate officials
and other interested people

can see the strength of feeling (or otherwise) of those who live and work here and those who will be affected by development around the estate.

Please do contribute, say what you think.