Category Archives: Parks and Green Spaces
NEIGHBOURHOOD REPORT – JANUARY 2012
I am pleased to post the latest report (Jan 2012) from the Council’s excellent Area 3 Neighbourhood Team. As usual the report includes activities undertaken by the Council and Police teams for the whole area (not just Blythe Ward). Also included are some dates the Environmental Champions will be undertaking schemes in the ward. Please feel to contact me if you want to get involved. Newsletter Jan 12
Hillfield Park (Monkspath) Play Area
This issue was the subject of a post on 25 May. The petition went before the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities on 7 September (report here: Hillfields Park play area ). I am pleased to confirm that the fencing surrounding the children’s play area is to be replaced, with funds coming from the parks budget.
This is a good example of residents seeking to challenge decisions. Thanks to all residents who put their names to the petition and the Park Users Group for bringing the issue to my attention.
Salter Street Gypsy Site application
I am pleased to report the retrospective planning application to extend the hard standing area on the traveller/gypsy site off Salter Street (see post if 18 Aug) was refused by members of the planning committee when they met on 7 September. The officers report recommended refusal of the application and I withdrew my request to address the planning committee upon confirming there was no representation by the applicants at the committee meeting (wastes time where the recommendation is what you are requesting). The officers report is attached: Salter St Officers Report
I will now be liaising with Solihull’s officers to ensure that the land unlawfully made into hard standing is returned to grazing land.
Salter Street Gypsy Site – Planning Application
I have posted my submission to Solihull’s Planning Committee which will determine the retrospective planning application (2011/1020) refers – see link for application documents: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/planning/dc/ViewApp.asp. My submission is via: Submission to Planning Committee regarding Application 2010
The application seeks to get approval for creating three more hardstanding areas for caravans, in addition to the three permitted by the planning committee when they heard a previous application in October 2010 (2010/1336): http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/images/att26691.pdf. Here, the planning committee allowed the creation of three hardstanding areas in the green belt (in spite of representations from the MP and Councillors). One of the reasons for objecting to the application last October was a fear that more unauthorised development will take place – which has proven to be the case.
This application comes at a time when Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is undertaking a borough wide consultation into the provision of site for Gypsies. You can access the consultation via this link: Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations Development Plan Document Options Paper via http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Attachments/DPD_GT_FINAL_for_publication.pdf
Neighbourhood Report – August 2011
The latest report from Area Three Neighbourhood Team is shown. Again, some outstanding work done by the partners and some excellent environmental projects achieved. Newsletter August 11 Also shown is a link to a form showing Sporting Activities at Willow Park, Balsall Common during August. Neighbourhood Sports @ Willow Park 2011 Leaflets A5[1] The sessions are for 8 – 16 years old and are free of charge.
Cleaning Up In Cheswick Green
Yesterday morning I joined fellow ward councillor Martin McCarthy, some of the Council’s Neighbourhood Environment Officers and pupils, staff and parents from Cheswick Green Junior and Infant School clearing up the park/play area in by the Village Hall. The pupils were great and seemed to like getting into the brook to clean that out – so much so they didn’t want to stop doing that to have their photographs taken. The photograph shows myself and Martin. 
Hillfield Park, Monkspath
Firstly, I don’t know why its called Hillfield Park when it is in Monkspath – I will try to find out why. However, I draw your attention to a petition I have been asked to help with – to get fencing around the children’s play area. The Monkspath Park Users Group voted unanimously at their last meeting to have the fence replaced and I support their pleas. When the last government allocated funds to replace and upgrade children’s play equipment they stipulated that local authorities could not use the funds for items such as fencing. That is a shame and many dog owners feel there should be a fence to make sure children are safe from rogue dogs and to ensure cleanlines
If you wish to support the petition please contact me, preferably via email (even better, posting a response to this post). I hope to present the petition to full council in July. The dog in the image is Skye and is my son’s rescue dog. We look after her every week or so.
Welham Croft Planning Application – Appeal by developers is successful
I received notification from the Planning Inspectorate that the appeal against the Council’s refusal has been won by the developers Cameron Homes. The decision report is attached, as is the original report that went before SMBC’s Planning Committee. I am really gutted and have made my feelings quite clear to the local newspapers, who I hope print my press release. I have attempted so far to keep any politics out of this website but as the original application was supported by the LibDem members on the planning committee, contrary to the advice from the council’s planning officers, I have to register my angst here. When was the last time councillors voted to build homes on open space when officers recommended refusal? The mind boggles.
Anyway, time to move on. I will now work with agencies and residents to ensure what is left is retained and made into a useful ameniety for residents of Monkspath. Appeal Decision Report Planning Application for Welham Croft
