Latest news with #BirminghamCityCouncil
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Travellers set up camp at Birmingham park
Travellers have set up camp at a Birmingham park. Caravans and vehicles were spotted on playing fields at Old Quarry Park in Bartley Green. It comes after travellers had an encampment at Gilbertson Recreation Ground in Yardley last week. READ MORE: Birmingham hit-and-run driver hunted after collision which left girl with serious injuries READ MORE: M6 police incident live after man dies at scene and motorway closed READ MORE: Woman arrested as police probe baby death in Birmingham READ MORE: Solihull teen admits taking pick-up truck from hotel READ MORE: Three prisoners with Birmingham links stage jailbreak amid do not approach warning A group had also moved back to Swanshurst Park in Billesley for the fifth time in six weeks. The group have since left. Park volunteers then launched a huge clean-up after fly-tipped waste blocked paths. A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: "Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it. 'The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community – which is in line with Government policy. "Details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website." Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plans to demolish Birmingham market submitted for third time
Plans to demolish an historic indoor market have been recommended for approval after being submitted for a third revealed last year they wanted to bulldoze the Birmingham Bull Ring site to make way for proposed development, on Edgbaston Street, would provide up to 745 apartments, or about 1,500 student bedrooms, in the city traders have sold from the site for years, but that could end amid the plans, which go before city council planning committee members on 3 July, with officers suggesting they back the scheme. The market is located on the ground floor of Edgbaston Street Car Park, which is owned by property giant Hammerson. It is run by Birmingham City Council and the local authority provides traders with their have revealed plans for a temporary alternative market site at the location of the city's former wholesale market, to which traders would be plan would then see them relocate into a new permanent building within the wider development site there, for the indoor market were submitted for a second time in February, and were also recommended for approval. The council said it would submit an application for funding to secure the replacement markets, but some members were concerned the new space could not be guaranteed, and a decision was deferred. Ahead of the proposal being considered for a third time next week, an update within council documents said there was now "an increased level of certainty over future market provision".The update revealed that meetings between council leaders, applicant Hammerson and the firm behind the Smithfield development had secured an extension of the lease on the current indoor market until March provided the "necessary time" to deliver a temporary market ahead of the transition to a permanent one, the report council added a business case for funding had been approved by the Enterprise Zone Partnership Board, and would be presented to cabinet prior to a formal bid. The council added it was negotiating with Lendlease over delivering the temporary market and that the plan provided a "credible" way forward and continuity for traders. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Advertisement 5 Mark Jones with his dogs in front of his bungalow in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An interior shot of the property, which the dad-of-two has been ordered to demolish Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An aerial view of the bungalow (bottom left of shot) which is in Jones' ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Advertisement Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." Advertisement Most read in Money The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. Advertisement His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 A shot of the bungalow which sits directly next to the fence of his ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS:South West News Service Advertisement 5 Mark acknowledges his "fault" but says the council shouldn't force him to demolish it Credit: SWNS:South West News Service There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. Advertisement He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien'. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. Advertisement He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. Advertisement 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Advertisement Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. Advertisement 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' Read more on the Irish Sun A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.' Advertisement
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Sutton Coldfield but now has until the end of June to demolish the mini property. 5 5 5 He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 5 There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien '. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
The father-of-two built the bungalow without planning permission KNOCK DOWN I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks 'alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Sutton Coldfield but now has until the end of June to demolish the mini property. 5 Mark Jones with his dogs in front of his bungalow in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An interior shot of the property, which the dad-of-two has been ordered to demolish Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An aerial view of the bungalow (bottom left of shot) which is in Jones' ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 A shot of the bungalow which sits directly next to the fence of his ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 Mark acknowledges his "fault" but says the council shouldn't force him to demolish it Credit: SWNS:South West News Service There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien'. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
