BIRMINGHAM PLANNING COMMITTEE SAY NO TO LOSS OF TREES IN OSCOTT SITE

The Birmingham City Councils Planning Committee at a meeting yester day  again made it clear they did not agree with the Aldi Planning application for the Old Horns site.
Far to may trees including protected ones would be removed under the current Aldi Plans.
They will be fighting the plan at the appeal Aldi have called for which will be heard by the Government own officers.

At a meeting out side the Queslett Nature Reserve ( Organised on behalf of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve by Brenda)  last night, a number of residents who live and use the reserve made their views clear, they want to save the trees.

Many suggested Aldi consider other near by sites or even the Kingstanding shopping precinct.

Other issues of concern, were problems with parking, the added traffic congestions  the proposals would bring, to  the size of the development and the effect of development on the wild life and the Nature Reserve.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I ( I am the Chair of the FQNR) were there to make sure as usual the voices of our fellow Oscott residents were heard.

I am personally still saddend by Aldi not wishing to sit around a table and compromise. Perhaps a smaller more suitable size store with a lot less tree reduction and some better transport measures?

OSCOTT COUNCILLORS OUT AND ABOUT

Councillor Barbara Dring and I are out and about in Oscott ( where we live ) all the time discussing with our fellow residents their concerns.

Please do not hesitate to let us know of any issues that are of concern to you and we will try and help.
We have no magic money tree and many issues can be difficult to resolve but we tell you as it is and do what we can to help.

THE BATTLE AGAINST FLY TIPPING IN OSCOTT GOES ON

Councillor Barbara Dring and I have started a new campaign against fly tipping in Oscott.

We are calling on residents to report any fly tipping and we will do what we can to press for better enforcement and a quicker clean up.

A recent example where I have managed to get fly tipped rubbish removed has been near Greggs at the Kingstanding Circle and near the recycling banks at the corner of Old Oscott Hill and Oscott School Lane.

IF YOU STILL HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT TREES IN OSCOTT CONTACT PLEASE ME

Following discussions with Amey Highways senior tree officer it has been agreed residents concerned about the way trees have been pruned near their homes will be visited by the officer to discuss their concerns.  Amey will take on board reasonable requests and do what they can to resolve issues.

This will take place towards the end of the tree pruning program which is expected to continue for some weeks. ( due to delays caused by the weather and in some cases cars not being moved out of the way when work was to be undertaken)

Work is still being carried out in many of the roads in Oscott and there is still a number of trees in many roads which need attention. Amey Highways have agreed the work will be finished.

If you would like the senior tree officer to visit you at the end of their tree pruning schedule please contact me.

MORE POT HOLES IN OSCOTT NEED TO BE REPAIRED

Months of bad weather including the best have left many roads across the country with carriage was breaking up and forming pot holes.

Clearly Oscott is no exception. I have been reporting to Amey Highways ( given a 25 year contract to maintain our roads by the previous Council Administration) dozens of pot holes and some have been repaired but others not. I am told this is due to the amount of work they are having to carry out across the city.
This is not good enough and I will continue to press Amey to get the pot holes in Oscott repaired.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I, are also starting a campaign to get more of our roads In Oscott resurfaced.

If you are aware of a bad pot hole in the Oscott area please email me with the details and I will ensure it is reported.

THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE A PLACE TO RELAX

I managed to spend a little time in the Queslett Nature reserve before the downpour.
I try and keep an eye on the reserve and while I am there do a little litter picking.

Its a lovely place and thanks to the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve it gets regular litter picks.

Sadly due to all the recent rain some of the paths are a little water logged ( you need stout shoes to take a walk in the reserve at the moment, but hopefully some minor drainage works can help sort that out later in the year.

HAPPY EASTER

Along with Councillor Barbara Dring I would like to wish all our fellow Oscott residents a Happy  Easter.