District Council gives Banner Homes development the green light

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At a meeting of the District Council Planning Committee dated 9 December 2013, the final major obstacles standing in way of the construction of 88 dwellings off Fiery Hill Road were removed.

Despite opposition from the Parish Council, Barnt Green Residents’ Association and District Cllr Mike Webb, the Planning Committee approved plans for the internal access, appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of the development together with plans for open space, the realignment of Fiery Hill Road and 24 space car-park.

Development of the site is expected to begin sometime during 2014.

Bridges over rail line to be rebuilt

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At a meeting dated 18 December 2013, Network Rail has identified four local bridges that will need to be rebuilt in order to accommodate the proposed electrification of the main line running through Barnt Green.

The bridges concerned are:

Bridge 109 – Linthurst Newtown over bridge
Reconstruction of this bridge will involve closure of the road. Owing to height, weight and width restrictions on other roads in the area the diversion is likely to be lengthy using Saint Catherine’s Road, Linthurst Road, Fiery Hill Road and Hewell Lane. The new bridge will be one lane wide and, because the bridge deck will be higher, the approach from Blackwell may need modification to ensure that on-coming traffic is sufficiently visible.

Bridge 110 – Greens Occupation Bridge (access from Blackwell Road to farmland and private residence)
Although not a public highway bridge, it does carry a public right of way that will need a temporary closure or diversion. The bridge provides access to farmland and a private residence. Network Rail may provide an alterative access bridge whilst the permanent access is rebuilt but no commitment has been made to this as yet.

Bridge 111 – Rocky Lane / Hewell Lane over bridge
This bridge, close to the centre of Barnt Green will be closed for approximately six months from May/June 2015. The road width and layout will remain the same after the works have been completed and existing abutments will be maintained. The appearance of the bridge will be unaltered.Because the considerable overnight and weekend work will generate noise, light and dust issues, the Parish Council has recommended that, at key points during the work, Network Rail offer residents who are seriously inconvenienced temporary hotel accommodation.
A public engagement campaign will also take place and a detailed programme of works will also be made available nearer the time.
The diversion route will be by Fiery Hill Road and back to Hewell Road. Foot access to the railway station from Hewell Lane will be maintained throughout.

Bridge 111A – Barnt Green station footbridge
The new footbridge will be a Network Rail standard pedestrian bridge with solid sides measuring 1.8m to provide necessary protection. The existing footbridge will not be removed until the new bridge has been built.
The plans for the new bridge do not currently include stairs to platform 4 (for Redditch trains). The Parish Council has made representations to Network Rail indicating that this should be reviewed as passengers crossing the bridge ought not to have to exit the station and re-enter in order to access this platform.
The Parish Council have also indicated that if the bridge is to be replaced then lifts should also be provided in order to make the station fully accessible. The County Council has agreed to raise this issue with the Department of Transport.

The Parish Council will release further information as it becomes available.

Your help needed to release funds for local use

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Since 2011, under the terms of a Government initiative called the New Homes Bonus Scheme, Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) receives money every time a new home is registered for council tax. You help is needed to make sure that this money is used locally.This ‘bonus’ is not a one-off payment, it is paid each year for 6 years. To illustrate the sums of money involved, Hagley Residents’ Action Group estimate that, in 2013/14, the District Council will receive approximately £688,000.

The Housing Minister stated that the intention of the Scheme was for communities affected by additional new housing to be consulted on where the money should be spent and for that money to be passed to those communities (ideally via parish councils ). However, Bromsgrove District Council has decided not to consult its local communities and has put all the money arising from the Scheme into a central District Council pot.

Your Parish Council believes that this is unfair and is encouraging residents to sign an e-petition launched by Hagley Residents’ Action Group.

The purpose of the petition is to demonstrate the strength of public opposition to the District Council’s decision. 1,250 signatures are required to trigger a debate at a full meeting of the District Council.

With major house building occurring across the district, not only in Barnt Green, but in areas such as Catshill, Hagley, Norton Farm and Wythall, a change in policy would release thousands of pounds for use within the parishes where developments such as that to be built on Fiery Hill Road have been approved.

Please take a moment to sign the e-petition at www.newhomes.epetitions.net

Disruption will lead to long term rail improvements

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Network Rail has confirmed services will stop between Redditch and Longbridge while work on a £20million improvement scheme takes place from 6 July and 1 September 2014. It will see an extra section of track laid between Redditch and Barnt Green along with a second platform at Alvechurch.

It is intended that, from December 2014, three trains an hour will run each way between Redditch and Birmingham.

A replacement bus service will operate during the eight week period with some running directly from the Redditch station to Longbridge and others picking up from Alvechurch and Barnt Green. This will add about 22 minutes to journey times. A full timetable is expected to be released in the Spring.

London Midland, which runs the Cross City line, will also take the opportunity to upgrade the mechanical reliability of locomotives running on the route and has invested in ten new trains elsewhere on the network as well, which will free up more modern engines to run on the line.

For more information see the article published by the Redditch Standard on Thursday 24 October.

Community walk a great success

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On Saturday 28 September nearly 200 walkers of all ages turned out to support the Barnt Green community walk and pig roast organised by Barnt Green Parish Council.

There were 4 guided walks, varying in length from 6.5 miles to 2.5 miles, which passed many local beauty spots including the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Upper and Lower Bittell Reservoirs, Cofton Church, Lickey Visitors Centre and woods.

The walks celebrated the recent agreement with Worcestershire County Council to sign and promote a new footpath called The Barnt Green Circular.

Amanda Hill, Worcestershire Countryside Volunteers Officer, led a very well supported walk from Barnt Green to Upper Bittell reservoir. After the walk, Amanda commented:

I am delighted with the new Barnt Green Circular Walk. In the next few weeks, the County Council will publish the route and erect signage along the footpath to enable walkers throughout the county, and beyond, to enjoy the beautiful and varied countryside surrounding Barnt Green.

Charles Hotham, Vice-Chair of Barnt Green Parish Council, indicated that he had been delighted with the turnout which had been helped by perfect weather and the promise of a pig roast organised by local Barnt Green butcher, Warwick, and the village off-licence, Vinalia.

The event also provided an opportunity to highlight the work of Worcestershire Countryside Volunteers who help to maintain and improve pathways throughout the county. If you are interested in helping with this work please contact Amanda Hill at .

Parish Council responds to Fiery Hill Road proposals

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Banner Homes’ application (13/0522) for the external appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of up to 88 dwellings on land adjacent to Fiery Hill Road is likely to be considered at the Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 4 November.
The Parish Council has submitted a robust response drawing attention to a number of perceived problems with the application.

The Parish Council has submitted the following evidence arguing that the application ought not to be permitted.

Application 13/0522: Covering letter
Application 13/0522: Comments on appearance
Application 13/0522: Comments on Landscaping
Application 13/0522: Comments on Layout
Application 13/0522: Comments on Scale

Community walk and pig roast

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On Saturday 28 September you are invited to participate in the Barnt Green community walk and pig roast. You can choose from four guided walks varying from 6.5 miles to 2.5 miles.

The walks will start and finish at the Friends’ Meeting House in Sandhills Road, Barnt Green and take in many local beauty spots including the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Upper and Lower Bittell Reservoirs, Cofton Church, Lickey Visitors Centre and woods. Children are very welcome (there will be a trail quiz) but, if under 16, should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

All the walks should arrive back at the Friends’ Meeting House at about 5:30pm in time for a pig roast in Millennium Park. Individuals and families are invited to just come along on the day and join in. The timetable is:

From 1:30pm     Local walks exhibition in the Friends’ Meeting House.

2:00pm: Walk 1 (6.5 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Withybed Green, the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Bittell reservoirs, Cofton Church, Lickey Woods and Visitors Centre returning to Barnt Green.

3:00pm: Walk 2 (5 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Withybed Green, the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Bittell reservoirs returning to Barnt Green.

3:30pm: Walk 3 (4 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Cofton Church, Lickey Woods and Visitors Centre returning to Barnt Green.

4:00pm: Walk 4 (2.5 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Bittell reservoir returning to Barnt Green.

5:30pm: Pig Roast (finishing at 7.30pm).

Can you help?

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The Parish Council is looking to recruit volunteers to assist with weekly safety checks of the play equipment at Millennium Park and Parker’s Piece.

The work is not onerous requiring a weekly visual check of the equipment and completion of a tick box report confirming that the check has been made and identifying any areas of concern Volunteers are covered by the Parish Council’s insurance and full training is given.

For further details please contact the Executive Officer or call into the Parish Council office at 80 Hewell Road.

Awards for hanging baskets

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Each year the Parish Council distributes hanging baskets throughout the village. This year they were judged by local horticulturalist, Jackie Hardy.

Many of the hanging baskets are located outside shops and looked after by individual retailers. Councillors would like to thank all those who have looked after the baskets through the summer and added colour to the village. Jackie judged the awards as follows:

1st place:   Tony’s Handyman
2nd place:   Viva Hairdressers
3rd place:   Continental Collection
Highly commended:   Barnt Green Antiques

Midland Sinfonia

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The Midland Sinfonia invite you to an evening of ‘Heroic Music’ at the Artrix Arts Centre on Saturday 12 October.

Richard Laing, conductor and Nathaniel Vallois, guest soloist.

£16 for adults
£5 for full time students and registered unemployed
Children free if accompanied by a adult.

Tickets are available at www.artrix.co.uk or by calling 01527 577330.