Tristan Harris
20 July. Updated: 20 July 14:37
RESIDENTS in Barnt Green are being urged to have their say on Banner Homes Midlands Ltd’s redrafted proposals for land off the village’s Fiery Hill Road, opposite the railway station, at an event Wednesday (July 27).
The consultation, between 4pm and 8pm at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Sandhills Road, follows an open meeting at the Parish Centre, which was held on Tuesday (July 19) and was attended by around 150 people.
Barnt Green Parish councillor Susan Whitehand said residents felt very strongly about the controversial proposals and added that it was important they had their say on them at Wednesday’s consultation.
“The majority of people we have spoken to do not want any development on the site.
“We are not saying no to any development in Barnt Green ever.
“But, it is felt this is an inappropriate site.”
She added it was the view of the parish council that the land should have its greenbelt status, which was taken away in 2004, reinstated. She said the fact the site was in a conservation area, near a listed building – The Barnt Green Inn – with an ancient woodland in one corner and prone to drainage problems were all good reasons as to why the land should not be built on.
The Standard reported earlier this month how two options had been put forward by Banner Homes for the site – the first one, for 65 properties, included 53 open market homes, ranging from two-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached houses and 12 affordable homes.
The second, for 98 properties overall, featured 58 open market homes, ranging from two-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached houses and 40 affordable homes, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses.
There was controversy surrounding last month’s consultation after residents living in the roads near to Fiery Hill Road claimed they had not received notification of the event and were therefore unaware they could comment on it.
In contrast to the developer’s proposals, Barnt Green Parish Council’s planning consultant report recommends, if the site is to be built on, the development should be constrained to between 14 and 18 homes. That report is now available to view at: www.barntgreen.org.uk
Banner Homes maintained it had delivered leaflets to most of the homes in the area.
Mark Booth, the regional director for Banner Homes Midlands, said he was pleased with the interest taken on the initial two proposals and that the company had taken on board residents’ feedback.
He said some of the changes which had been made, included the provision of ‘much-needed’ bungalows, improvements to the views of listed buildings and an extra buffer zone around the cricket pitch.
“As part of our commitment to working with the community, we were keen to ensure that there was an opportunity for all interested parties to review our latest plans and to discuss them with us ahead of the intended application being finalised and submitted to the district council.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about the proposals can call the Banner Homes’ project team on 0800 298 7040 or visit: www.bannerhomes.co.uk/barntgreen