Sutton Coldfield homes approved

Sutton Coldfield homes plan approved despite 'nul points' Eurovision claim

Tom Cramp - Local Democracy Reporter | Tuesday 2nd May 2023 8:29am

A housing development on former green belt land in Sutton Coldfield with 178 new homes has been approved by Birmingham City Council. Plans survived a scathing assessment from some councillors, with one claiming it would score ‘nul points’ if it were a Eurovision Song Contest entry.

The application has earmarked land off Lindridge Road on the Birmingham Warwickshire border. This is just over the road from the Langley sustainable urban extension development (SUE) which is set for 5,550 homes as well as schools, health centres, shops, and leisure facilities.

Developer Taylor Wimpey is behind the proposals and is also heavily involved in the Langley site. Planning consultants, RCA Regeneration, on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, has described the site as a 'bolt-on' to the bigger development.

The former farmer's field falls on land under the jurisdiction of both Birmingham City Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council. At a Birmingham planning committee meeting yesterday, (April 27), councillors voted to approve the relevant part of the application.

Cllr David Barrie (Cons, Sutton Walmley & Minworth) said: “I think if this were an entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest, we could award Taylor Wimpey nul points for imagination, nul points for design and character, and nul points for their ability to recognise the advantages of this site as it is right next to Langley.

“This was their opportunity to shine, to show us they could produce an exemplary development. They have failed, absolutely abysmally.”

“There is going to be a footpath provided to serve this new development and Taylor Wimpey are hoping to fund this from a 106 payment originally made to another ward that they wish to re-purpose. At the same time, they are hoping to impose a cap on the money spent in the ward it was originally granted to in order to fund this, which I think is just absolutely scandalous.”

71 of the 178 homes will be sold at an affordable rate, making up 40 per cent of the total number. The new estate will be comprised of 14 one-beds, 52 two-beds, 58 three-beds, and 54 four-bedroom houses.

Cllr Jack Deakin (Lab, Allens Cross) added: “On a whole, I quite admire the aesthetic of the application, but I recognise there are other issues relating to the fire service which is concerned around the technical design. I do welcome the significant amount of affordable homes with this development, so I’m quite mixed.”

Cllr Gareth Moore (Cons, Erdington) said: “I do hope that when we get to Langley, it is of a much higher quality and design of what they have put in here. It may be acceptable for North Warwickshire but it's not acceptable for Birmingham.”

Cllr Lee Marsham (Lab, Nechells) said: There is nothing planning-wise for us to reject in this application, and I can’t speak for North Warwickshire, but if these were on our side of the Borough, I'd be demanding a better quality of homes and layout.

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