Birmingham Business Park Development

28/02/2008

Arlington Business Parks Partnership Ltd is appealing against a planning application, refused in 2006, to expand the Birmingham Business Park. This as you may know is the Green Belt land which runs alongside Coleshill Heath Road. The main reason for the refusal by Solihull Planning Committee is summarised below and we are grateful to Councillor Bob Sleigh for this information.

The problem for the developer is that he has to overcome the presumption against development in Green Belt. That is the principle most difficult for the developer and probably the only issue in the appeal. Solihull Council fought this out in the UDP public enquiry and won against Arlington.

The application includes:

A Supermarket and other retails outlets,
A 120 room hotel,
Car parking for 1,277 vehicles

There is also office space which will include an innovation centre(?); there would be a sports facility and it is suggested that jobs for 1,800 people would be created.

This massive project would have 2 exits, both coming into Coleshill Heath Road. Those of you who are ever around that area during the rush hour – and of course when there is an exhibition on at the NEC - will find it unbelievable that such a proposal could be considered. I'm sure you can think of many reasons why this is not a good idea but the traffic on Coleshill Heath Road must be a very important one. Traffic into the village would also be affected in a major way and it's difficult to image just how we would cope if this, and all the other current planning applications, is allowed to go ahead.

A provisional date for the hearing is 10th June and we will post any further details on this site so, watch this space………