Selly Oak MP, Steve McCabe is calling on the Council to refuse plans to build a 4 storey student accommodation block next to a local nursery.
Plans were submitted to Birmingham City Council to turn a semi-derelict 0.2 acre portion of land next to Selly Oak Nursery into a 4-storey purpose-built student accommodation block. The site would pose safeguarding concerns for the local nursery as their Forest School and Playground border the site’s premises. Parents, teachers and neighbours have spoken out about the inappropriateness of the site’s location.
Local MP Steve McCabe MP has written to Birmingham City Council to express his concerns about the location of the site which includes an alleyway for commercial bins. Steve McCabe also raised concerns about the space and quality of living conditions being offered to students in this proposal. He has urged the Council to refuse the Planning Application given the potential negative impact it will have on local neighbours and Selly Oak Nursery.
The Nursery and local residents have launched a petition urging the Council to reject the application which has already gained over 700 signatures.
Steve McCabe MP said:
“The location of this application is unsafe and unsuitable to house 55 students. The plans also cause a potential safeguarding risk for a neighbouring nursery whose playground and forest school would be directly overlooked by the proposed 4 storey student block. We need quality housing for students, not cramped rooms built over alleyways, behind a row of shops. Developers must start considering the impact their plans have on proposed tenants and the local community”
Yvonne James, Selly Oak Nursey Manager said:
“The planning application for a 4-storey student accommodation block will overlook our Forest School, playground and school. This will have massive safeguarding issues for the Nursery and completely block out light to our classrooms. This development would have a devastating impact on our nursery, we are calling on the Council to protect our children and refuse this application.
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