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.
