Developments in Planning & Regeneration in Lozells & Handsworth

You may be aware of the changes to the planning system introduced by the government through the new Localism Act. The Localism Act  promotes a bottom-up, neighbourhood planning approach which gives communities an opportunity to prepare plans for their local areas and shape the future of places where they live and work.

Under the Act, communities will have new powers to lead the preparation of Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs). NDPs offer an opportunity to decide the nature, location and design of developments,  and can be used to guide decisions on planning applications in the local area.

As NDPs are community-led, Neighbourhood Forums (NFs)  will have the leading role in preparing the plans with support and guidance from the Local Authority.

Currently in Birmingham, there are 2 neighbourhood planning pilots designated by the government, one in Balsall Heath and the other in the wider Handsworth area with the Soho Finger being the likely location. Each pilot area was allocated £20,000 from the government to assist with progressing the project.

However, I am very concerned about how this change in legislation and policy will really impact on communities. It is all well and good asking communities to devise neighbourhood plans but what will happen when large property developers and other such groups not happy with the plans decide to take communities who decide the NDP’s to court. Will local communities be able to meet the legal bills before, during and after legal proceedings?

I think there is still a lot of work to be done before I am convinced that NDP’s are a positive move for our communities.

You may be aware that the North West Planning and Regeneration Team have also been developing a Regeneration Framework for Perry Barr/Birchfield Local Centre and the A34 (N) Newtown Row/Birchfield Road Corridor.

The  Framework  stems  from  the  policies  set out in the city wide Growth Agenda, the  emerging  Core  Strategy and the Aston, Newtown, Lozells Area Action Plan.

The Core Strategy identifies Perry Barr/Birchfield as one of three district centres  for  the  City,  which  would  act  as  ‘growth  points’  for  new development  and  investment. In addition, the Growth Agenda identifies key transport  corridors  (such  as  the  A34)  within  the City, which have the potential to attract investment and generate growth.

The draft Framework aims to translate these wider policies into a clear vision and a delivery plan for long-term transformation of the Perry Barr/Birchfield Centre into a vibrant and economically strong area that is linked to the City Centre by an attractive A34 Urban Boulevard.

There is also a strategy being developed by the department to look at planning legislation for shopping centres across the city. I will bring you further details about this in the near future.

If anyone has any comments/questions regarding any of the above, please email me Waseem.Zaffar@birmingham.gov.uk and/or contact me in any of ways as described on this website.