Planning Applications to the 4 October 2014

2014/06872/PA - 31 Olton Croft, Acocks Green, B27 6PG
Erection of single storey rear extension.

2014/05110/PA - 1225 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, B27 6PX (Dolphin Fish Bar)
Variation of condition number 1 attached to 2011/04182/PA to allow extended opening hours from 12 noon to 10pm on Monday to Saturday and closed all day Sunday.

2014/06403/PA - 109 Holcombe Road, Tyseley, B11 3PR
Erection of two storey side & rear extension and single storey front & rear extension

2014/06500/PA - St Mary's Church, Warwick Road, Acocks Green, B27 6QX
Display of 3 non-illuminated post mounted signs

2014/06210/PA - 184 York Road, Hall Green, B28 8LE

Erection of single storey rear extension

2014/06254/PA - Shaftmoor Lane, Former Lucas Site, Tyseley (Morrisons site)

Application to determine the details for conditions numbers 2,4,5,11,17,32 and 39 attached to approval 2011/06776/PA

I've been in touch with Morrisons and plans are still afoot for construction - this relates to some of the aspects of the plans that have to be agreed in advance. No start date as yet - I'll keep you up to date. I have to say that Morrisons' communications department aren't lightning fast (although spectacularly better than the glacial movement of Network Rail's team)

2014/06016/PA - 1025 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, B27 6QJ

Erection of first floor rear extension, single storey forward & rear extensions and installation of dormer to rear

2014/06046/PA - 162-166 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6LR

Change of use from Sui Generis (Service Station) to Use Class B2 (Tyre Repair)

They keep coming back. There's significant residential objection to this already.

2014/06231/PA - 25 Broom Hall Crescent, B27 7JR

Erection of single storey forward extension, erection of conservatory and installation of porch

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

The never ending list

Some kind soul decided to dump this at the end of the alleyway on Ninfield Road connecting to the Warwick Road. The bags contained roofing tiles, so I suspect that this is the result of a dodgy builder pulling into the car park and chucking waste out of the back of the van. I've had this cleared after it was raised by a local resident.

Also on the radar from last week - there's still work in progress to sort problems with an alley off Shirley Road. Following a resident's complaint, scaffolding on a council property on Gospel Farm Road has been removed.

A resident on Gospel Lane has raised concerns about a leaking sewer pipe, which he has been trying to get sorted for some time - that's now the subject of a formal s163 notice to Severn Trent, insisting that they deal with the problem within a few weeks.

The saga of the 31 bus route grumbles on. I've written to the respondents to our petition asking for feedback on the National Express proposal to remove the buses from Pool Farm Road and Pollard Road and run them down Thornfield Road instead. This doesn't restore the service to Olton Boulevard East and that's been a major concern of residents. I've fed the views of residents back through CENTRO, but further comments are always welcome.

Residents from Woodcock Lane had raised concerns about the "SLOW" markings becoming invisible and I've been on to Amey who will be repainting them.

I've also been chasing our Fleet and Waste team over a number of piles of flytipped green waste around the ward - chiefly on the Yarnfield and Gospel Estates. I'm pushing to have these removed.

Concerns continue about a property on Yardley Road, which has hedges overgrowing the footpath - that's still work in progress.

Planning Applications to the 29 March 2014

I've got a lot more to write, but no time to do it....

2014/01613/PA - 213 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6LZ
Display of 1 no. externally illuminated fascia sign and 2 no. hoardings for business signage
This relates to the earlier application for change of use to an undertakers. Convenient for the cemetery....

2014/01911/PA - Flat 5, 49 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6HG
Erection of single storey rear extension.

2014/01907/PA - 11 Greenwood Avenue, Acocks Green, B27 7QH
Erection of single storey front, side and rear extension.

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.\

Planning Applications to the 8 March 2014

A hectic week last week stopped me from listing these two that came in over the past fortnight:

2013/09503/PA - 1091 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, B27 6QT
Erection of single storey conservatory to front and infill second floor extension, and retention of single
storey rear extension, installation of external steel staircase and extraction flue to rear.

2014/01197/PA - 213 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6LZ
Change of use from business use (B1) to funeral directors (A1) use

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.\

Planning Applications to the 8 February 2014

Three for last week:

2014/00164/PA - 93 Olton Boulevard East, Acocks Green, B27 7NH
Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed single storey rear extension

2013/09264/PA - 162 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6GR
Continued use of premises as a tyre fitting and car repair centre.

2014/00748/PA - 21 Arden Road, Acocks Green, B27 6AH
Erection of two storey side and rear extensions

 You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.\

Planning Applications to the 1 February 2014

Just a single for the week before last, plus an update on the re-application for the land behind Eastbourne House on Yardley Road.

2014/00569/PA - 92 Shirley Road, Acocks Green, B27 7NA
Erection of two storey side and rear and single storey front and rear extensions, installation of rear dormer and new pitch roof to existing detached store

Eastbourne House - land off Beeches Road
This application appeared and disappeared a couple of weeks ago. I've investigated this, after concerns were raised by residents. It appears that the planning officer who dealt with the (now lapsed) planning approval back in 2008 noticed some discrepancies over the issue of lost open space, as the plan is to build on the playing fields behind the former private school. Accordingly, the plans were pulled pending the resolution of this matter, but not before some notifications had been sent out to some local residents. Once answers have been obtained, then the public consultation process will start again - probably this week.

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Planning Applications to 4 January 2014

Just a couple that have come in over the Christmas and New Year period

2013/08499/PA - 116 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6LG
Change of use from office and training centre to residential dwelling to provide supported living for young people (C2)

2013/09345/PA - 2 Gospel Farm Road, B27 7JN
Erection of single storey rear extension.

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Planning Applications to the 21 December 2013

A few to catch up on before Christmas:

2013/09257/PA - Yardleys School, Reddings Lane, Tyseley, B11 3EY
Installation of 2 no. storage containers

2013/09187/PA - Land at the junction of Reddings Lane/Olton Boulevard West, Eaton Electrical
Ltd, Tyseley, B11 3EZVariation of condition number 7 attached to planning approval 2010/01029/PA to amend the wording to
read 'No development, save for works of demolition and site clearance, shall take place until details of the
number, design, location and post development monitoring arrangements of (bird nesting boxes/bat boxes/bricks/tubes) to be provided as part of the development has been submitted to and approved in
writing by the Local Planning Authority. The bird/bat boxes shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and thereafter maintained'

The wording currently reads:
No development shall take place until details of the number, design, location and post-development
monitoring arrangements of (bird nesting boxes/bat boxes/bricks/tubes) to be provided as part of the
development, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The
bird/bat boxes shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and thereafter maintained.
Reason: To enhance the nature conservation interest of the site in accordance with Paragraphs 3.37-
3.40 of the Birmingham UDP 2005, PPS9 and the Nature Conservation Strategy for Birmingham SPG.

This would seem to allow clearance to clear the site BEFORE the nature conservation measures have been installed.

2013/09264/PA - 162 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6GR
Continued use of premises as a tyre fitting & car repair centre.
This has been an issue of local concern for some time. 

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Yardley Road Resurfacing

For over a year, Stewart and I have been chasing our highways contractors, Amey, to repair the one remaining un-resurfaced stretch of Yardley Road between the rail bridge and Francis Road. I've been out with their planning manager and their local manager to walk the road and point out the problems with the potholed and cracked road surface and we've lobbied for it at every opportunity.

Well, the good news is that the road is now scheduled to be resurfaced between December 2013 and May 2014.

Since Amey took over the highway repairs function of the city council, they decide on the roads to be resurfaced and lights to be renewed. Councillors have some influence and can put forward arguments, but Amey's drive is to deliver against their contractual target on a city-wide basis.

Planning Applications to 1 June 2013

Another quiet week:

2013/03174/PA - 67 Yardley Road, B27 6LL
Change of use from food production (Use Class B2) to a hot food takeaway (Use Class A5) with ancillary
seating

This one might be a little controversial - there was a previous application (2009/01381/PA) that was turned down in 2009. 

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Shed some pounds on shed security

Solihull Police report that a number of sheds on the Gospel Lane allotments have been broken into. They offer advice on securing your garden and shed:

Here are some basic tips for you if you are looking to make sure your garden and shed are as secure as possible.

● Put gravel on paths and driveways to alert you to someone approaching
● Fix a wooden trellis to the top of fences as if climbed, it will break, creating noise and attracting attention.
● Ensure gates at the side or back of the house are kept locked with a good quality bolt and padlock.
● Do not leave ladders lying around.
● Install security lights to illuminate your garden.
● Keep shrubs, hedges and large plants cut back.
● The planting of a prickly hedge, such as firethorn, climbing rose or hawthorn, against existing fencing will act as a powerful deterrent.
● Speak to your local garden centre about plants which provide natural protection.
● Lock sheds with a padlock or mortice deadlock as they often contain tools suitable for breaking into your home.
● Check to see if your shed has sustained any damage after the Winter months which may make access easy for a burglar.
● If your shed has windows, consider putting net or curtains up
● Consider installing a battery operated shed alarm
● Chain cycles, mowers, ladders and stools together inside the shed
● Consider having lockable steel boxes fitted to the floor of your shed to store tools in

Planning Applications to the 25 May 2013

Another quiet week:

2013/03471/PA - 62 Yardley Road, B27 6LG
Erection of rear detached storage building

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Planning Applications to 23 March

A couple of weeks to catch up with here and a veritable feast for the planning geeks amongst you. Incidentally - the BBC Two series "The Planners" has been an excellent insight into the trials and tribulations of how planning decisions are made. Well worth catching up with on iPlayer.

2013/01672/PA - 1098 Warwick Road, Lloyds TSB Bank plc
Display of various internally illuminated and non-illuminated signs

2013/01604/PA - Victoria Road, Archbishop Ilsley RC 6th Form College
Removal & replacement of boundary fencing to Warwick Road elevation

2013/01897/PA - 12 Langworth Avenue
Erection of single storey rear extension

2013/01971/PA - 87 Severne Road
Erection of single storey front extension

2013/01521/PA - 10 Botteville Road
Erection of two storey rear extension

2013/01975/PA - 125 Lulworth Road
Erection of a two storey rear & side extension and single storey rear extension

2013/01942/PA - 5 Charles Lane Trust Houses, Adjacent to Fox Hollies Road
Installation of 1 no. telecommunication DSLAM cabinet (BT plc)
(Within School Road Conservation Area)

A typical BT DSLAM cabinet

Note: This is not a mobile phone mast - it relates to providing fibre broadband access to properties in the area. The picture to the left shows an example of a DSLAM cabinet - not the actual site. 

2013/01941/PA - Edenbridge Road, site outside 208 School Road
Prior notification for the installation of 1 no. DSLAM cabinet (BT plc)
(Within School Road Conservation Area)

Note as above.

2013/01640/PA - 62 Yardley Road
Erection of rear detached storage building

2013/01816/PA - site outside 31 Shirley Road
Replacement and upgrade of existing public telephone kiosk with kiosk combining public telephone service and ATM service
(They keep on trying with this one)

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Planning Applications to 2 March 2013

Bit of a rush this week (sorry for the lack of posting this earlier in the week - been rather hectic)

2013/00643/PA - 61 Kilmorie Road
Erection of two storey side extension and single storey front and rear extensions

2013/00728/PA - 20 Dudley Park Road
Erection of 3 storey detached block utilising roof space to provide 7 assisted living flats (Use Class C3)

2013/01184/PA - 58 Olton Croft
Erection of single storey rear extension and creation of patio area

2013/00474/PA - 132 Yardley Road
Installation of a footway crossing (dropped kerb)

2013/01198/PA - 93 Hazelwood Road
Erection of two storey rear and single storey side and rear extension, forward porch and new double pitch gable ended roof

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Snaglist

Here's a sample of work scheduled and completed across the ward recently thanks to the intervention of the Labour team. 

Faulty street lights

On the Shirley Road/School Lane roundabout, at the junction of Shirley Road and Dolphin Lane, Oakhill Crescent, Yardley Road (including the belisha beacon), Westley Road, Flint Green Road, Shirley Road.

Damaged bollards repaired

Warwick Road/Westley Road junction (at the Green roundabout), Station Road/Oxford Road/Sherbourne Road junction.

Potholes

A couple of impressive examples of this species appeared - one particularly deep one on the Warwick Road lozenge roundabout opposite Lincoln Road North and another on the junction of Stockfield Road and Warwick Road, both of which were genuine hazards to road users. Both have been fixed. 

Other issues

Elsewhere, Amey will also be repairing the damaged trip rails on Warwick Road opposite Stockfield Road. 

A couple of weeks back, I was walking down Dudley Park Road and noticed that a deep hole had suddenly  opened up in the footpath just by the junction with Station Road. This was quite an urgent risk, given that it was potentially a serious trip hazard for any pedestrian, so I had the Amey hit squad out that same morning to perform a fix. The drainage team will need to have a look, as a void appears to have opened up beneath the footpath, so this might not be a permanent repair. 

A defective road sign on Weston Lane is to be realigned and adjusted to protect cyclists. This isn't part of the patch, but has been raised by a constituent, so I've raised it and Amey will be out to fix it. The sign warns drivers turning into Weston Lane from Battery Way to expect cyclists crossing the junction following the cycle route down into the dead end. Sadly, it was installed too low on the pole and has been turned round so that drivers can't see it. 

We've also got a problem with blocked gullies around the Spring Road station. Amey have been to have a look and the problem is actually with a blocked public sewer, which is maintained by Severn Trent. They've flagged it and I'll chase it myself with a contact with Severn Trent. 

Elsewhere, working with the landlords of the flats on Sherbourne Road, we had the access drive extended slightly to allow our bin wagons to be sure of access to the bin stores, as there was a period of several weeks when we weren't able to clear rubbish. An untaxed vehicle was parked on the private drive and prevented our trucks getting close enough to safely manoeuvre the large wheeled bins - the crews were trying daily at one point. 

Yardley Road Repairs Update

Following complaints from residents about the condition of the road, I arranged a site meeting with a team from Amey on Yardley Road. This has been partly resurfaced, but the central section of the road (roughly from the rail bridge down to Cottesbrook Junior School entrance) has not yet been done. I walked the road length with the design and plans officer, the highway steward and an inspector to discuss what needs to be done. Again, the condition of the road has been raised by residents (and I'm only too well aware of it myself).

It was originally scheduled for repair under the rolling five year plan, but when I checked the new edition of this constantly updating document, Yardley Road had fallen out of the plan. This wasn't satisfactory, so I arranged to meet the team on-site.

The inspector has logged a number of urgent faults that will be rectified rapidly - they now do this with a handheld GPS device that instantly records what and where the fault is so that it can be scheduled with the repairs team. I did point out that some of the surface damage is actually quite a hazard to cyclists.

There is also a need to carry out more in-depth repairs to the road surface, to match the other two sections which have already been dealt with. Roads are prioritised for repair and surfacing works to ensure that the worst sections of carriageway are dealt with first and damage may not always be apparent to the naked eye. The photos indicate some obvious problems, but detailed inspection, including specialist testing equipment can reveal deeper problems. Fortunately, most of the problems with Yardley Road are actually surface-related.

This section was inspected during the summer and the planner will be checking that this inspection actually corresponds with the damage that he has seen, as that will affect the priority of the road. If that doesn't help, it will be put forward as part of the 'change programme' for addition to a future work plan. I'm hopeful that this will be dealt with by early 2013 at the latest, but I will keep pushing on this.

Planning Applications to 22 July 2012

Restarting this - lack of time has simply stopped me posting for weeks.

2012/04915/PA - 9 Netley Grove
Erection of single storey front extension

2012/04900/PA - 55 Yardley Road

Variation of condition 2 attached to 2010/01317/PA to be changed from being used solely as a day
centre to any purpose


2012/04995/PA - 2 Gospel Lane
Erection of first floor side extension and single storey rear extension


2012/04365/PA - 78 Westley Road
Conversion of a single dwelling house into 4 no. one bedroom flats and 1 no. two-bedroom flat, installation of 2 no. dormer windows to rear and erection of two storey rear extension and detached store in rear garden


2012/04458/PA - 2 Denham Road
Erection of two storey side extension


2012/03932/PA - Motorsaver, 800 Warwick Road

Continuation of use for the sale of motor vehicles, part change of use to MOT testing station/car servicing. Installation of 2 no. roller shutters and alterations to workshop roof to increase the height by 1.8 metres


You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Glynne Edwards Hall - Update

Although I could only make the last 45 minutes of the meeting last night, it is clear that there remains a gulf between the Stockfield Community Association and some other parts of the community. The SCA/Yardley Baptists have put their case in a meeting and will put it again on Wednesday at the Ward Committee at Acocks Green Library - I'd urge those for, against and those undecided to attend and listen to the arguments.

The architects did publicly say that they are open to discussing the detail of the application and making changes - I've undertaken to ensure that they are able to meet with the planning officers to discuss it - but they are firm in the need to demolish and replace the hall as the third phase in a series of works that will revive the semi-derelict Arthur Moore Hall behind it and see work done on the main body of the church. As ecclesiastical exemption applies to both of those parts, they are outside the local authority remit.

We have three broad camps - those in favour of demolition and rebuild as per the current plans, those who oppose demolition and would only accept reconstruction and repair and those who reluctantly accept the need to replace the hall, but have problems with the current designs. That oversimplifies the range of opinion quite massively, but I suspect it covers most people!

I would like to see exactly what the architects are prepared to offer in terms of changes, but they weren't forthcoming on that. They did reveal that there is an alternative plan which sees the black slate monolith clad in clay tiles instead, which might provide a more aesthetically pleasing look, but I'd particularly like to see the asymmetrical roof line changed to be more in keeping with the other roof lines along that stretch, particularly as it is at the outer edge of the proposed conservation area and there is room for the design to better echo and complement surrounding buildings without becoming a pastiche.

My key point was that when the architects have packed up their drawing desks and gone home, it will be those of us who have to live by this building that will have to take the consequences and I want it to continue to be something that we welcome in the area, not an eyesore. While I'm very sensitive to the need to conserve the built environment - I've supported the conservation area for years and am at the forefront of the campaign to preserve the police station - we also need to provide for the needs of the community. Reconciling those two aspects remains a huge challenge.

Glynn Edwards Hall

This is probably the biggest planning issue in the ward at the moment and I'm keen that all sides of the argument get to discuss it as fully as possible. Accordingly, I've asked the Stockfield Community Association and others on that side of the issue to attend the next Ward Committee meeting on Wednesday 25 July at Acocks Green Library.

Acocks Green Focus Group have strong views on the matter, but I do think that Stockfield Community Association and the Baptist Church need to put their views in a public forum and I've confirmed that they will be attending. They are also organising a public meeting this Friday - the 20th July - at 7pm in the Glynn Edwards Hall and all are welcome to hear from the Association and the architects.

For those of you not up to speed on this, the SCA and the Yardley Baptist Church have submitted joint plans to demolish the locally listed Glynn Edwards Hall on the corner of Yardley Road and Alexander Road and build a new building adjoining the church, the use of which would allow them to fund repairs to the other statutorily listed buildings on the site. There is vocal opposition to this proposal, but there is also a considerable chunk of local support.

Local listing is a way for the community to mark out buildings with historic significance, but it does not carry the same weight as the statutory listing grades.

If you want to review the current plans, you can find details here.

As always - your thoughts are welcomed.

UPDATE: Also worth a look is the Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum website, where the last meeting showed opposition to the demolition plans.

Planning applications - to 5 May 2012

2012/03014/PA - 60 Tynedale Road, Tyseley
Erection of first floor rear extension and front porch

2012/02780/PA - 27 Westfield Road, Acocks Green

Erection of first floor rear extension and single storey rear extension


2012/02298/PA - 49-51 Shirley Road (Knightsbridge Care Home)

Variation of Condition C7 attached to PA No 2008/02086/PA to allow for an increase in occupancy from 50 to 85 persons at any one time

2012/02651/PA - 240 School Road, Hall Green
Erection of conservatory

2012/02653/PA - 1160 Warwick Road, Acocks Green
Display of 1 non-illuminated fascia and 1 non-illuminated projecting signage

2012/02055/PA - 112 Yardley Road, Acocks Green

Change of use from previous care service unit (use class A2) to one bedroom dwelling (use class C3).

2012/01813/PA - 10 Easton Grove

Erection of single storey detached bungalow in rear/side garden

2012/02525/PA - 164 Shirley Road

Erection of two storey side and first floor rear extension.

2012/02222/PA - 176 School Road, Hall Green (SCHOOL RD CONSERVATION AREA)
Erection of rear first and second floor extension

A bit of catching up on this regular post. I'll keep this up to date now.

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.