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It's your shout

Do you realise that one of the 'traditional houses' that is going to be knocked down has been a car dumping ground for the last 17 years. There are a number of vehicles at the rear of the property that are leaking oil and other toxic fluids, yet the council, Bob Sleigh and Caroline Spelman would do nothing about it. By building this development, the house builders are making Elmdon Lane a better place for everyone. 
I have lived in Marston Green all my life and i am currently looking for a reasonably priced 'affordable' house in the Marston Green area as all my family live locally.  It is ok for all these people complaining about the development, they have houses of their own.
There are a number of 'back land' developments in Elmdon Lane already: Digby Drive, The Greenway, Canterbury Drive.  None of the houses in these developments are in keeping with the rest of the houses in Elmdon Lane. 
Your other comment "But with Great Britain topping the European teenage pregnancy tables, maybe it would be a good idea to target more efforts on this statistic."  What is the point of this statement, it has nothing to do with the building of new houses in Elmdon Lane.
This is my second email about this development, i notice that my previous letter has not been published on your website or in your newspaper.  In fact i haven't seen any comments or articles from supporters of the development.  It appears to be a little bit biased toward those who shout loudest and have friends on the infinately power parish council. 
Robert King
Elmdon Lane 

I am afraid Mr Moore has been sadly misinformed if he thinks that Solihull Council has neglected Shirley Park or has a poor record on parkland. In fact Shirley Park has been awarded the coveted Green Flag national status - as have a number of Solihull parks. That is hardly neglect and perhaps he is also unaware that the council has created over 30 hectares of new parks and open spaces that have won praise from environmentalists and put Solihull well up on the national stage. Despite constant claims by certain individuals, nobody has voted to concrete over 3 acres of the park as only just over one acre will be incorporated in the scheme and this will facilitate improved security as well as the much needed affordable housing that will border a section of the park and also bring life to Shirley town centre. That is apart from the £500,000 additional spend on facilities in the park.
Mr Moore is probably right about me looking uncomfortable on the recent TV programme as after nearly an hour of standing on a soggy piece of waste ground with several retakes, changes of approach and lengthy debate I found that by 7pm a pair of dry shoes and cup of tea was somewhat overdue. What was not included in the highly edited item was the presenter's praise for Solihull's commendable record on parks or his acknowledgement that the trees were not in the best condition. Viewers were also denied any shot of the vandalised tree and clever camera angles concealed the adjacent car park and buildings - but of course it would not do to let the facts spoil a good story.
Given that the Heart of Shirley scheme was recommended by an all-party working group, has not been challenged through the democratic call-in available to opposition groups and no alternative scheme proposed, I wonder which party Mr Moore will now feel able to support.
Yours sincerely
Ken Meeson
Leader - Solihull Council

I would like to thank the many Shirley residents as well as fellow Liberal Democrat councillors who tuned up on Saturday to help spruce up the Oak Tree Circle area in Shirley Park.
Solihull Council kindly provided “litter pickers” and refuse sacks and someone arranged a gloriously sunny day! The area has now been cleared of any unsightly litter and damaged branches have also been removed. The access routes through and around the Oak Circle itself have been reinstated and we have added an extra link path from footpath U26 that traverses the Park near the Oak Circle.
The easiest way to the Oak Circle is south through Shirley along the A34 Stratford Road; heading for the signposted Shoppers Car Park which is just past the Saracens Head and opposite the M&S Simply Food store.
For those who seek out “awe and wonder” I commend the Oak Circle to you. Please visit in the next month to either witness the area in full leaf or in autumn colour.
Cllr Howard Allen
Liberal Democrat
Shirley West

After making phoney allegations about the amount of Shirley Park that is set to disappear under the concrete and tarmac of the ‘Parkgate’ development, Tory stooge JK Wilson has the brass neck to claim that “right thinking residents” support the ASDA/Shirley Advance scheme!
This ‘we know best’ approach, which has become the hallmark of the Conservative approach to issues in Solihull, is a shameful reflection of their lack of regard for local democracy.
Councillor Tim Hodgson
Liberal Democrat
Shirley South

We are aghast that a phone mast has been installed on the roof of the Off License in Knightsbridge Road, Olton, Solihull.  How has this slipped through the net?  Residents in the area received no notice, public or private.  This really is an underhand thing to do.  Especially as so many of us have campaigned sucessfully against masts in and around Olton and  Solihull.
My husbad and I wish to record our dissatisfaction and distaste of the whole matter.  The people who erect these masts know of the dangers that can ensue and yet they still erect them in some of the most densely populated areas.  This particular mast is less than 50 yeards away from a Childrens' Nursery.
Would you please take to see if this mast can be dismantled?
Frank and Juanita Watson
Olton

If Prince Charles is so keen on kids knowing where their food comes from then perhaps he will lend the schools his helicopter so they can visit
the sweat shops of the third world to find out where their toys come from. And how about a little trip to the paddy fields to see where their snap, pop, crinkle and crack breakfast cereal is grown, then a quick trip back to Britain and down to the laboratories to see just how much science is used on fattening our livestock. Prince Charles is on his usual high horse about
food but for someone who is kept in lap of luxery by an estate he enjoys from the people of corwall for free and not because of his own sweat and
effort hes got some nerve.
S T Vaughan
Yardley Wood

I trust that whoever dreamt up the name Parkgate for the 'new' Shirley centre will also design some permanent illustrious gates to match the title. Shirley richly deserves some permanent recommpence after the frustration, inconvenience and strained difficult situations it has had to endure for the past ten-and-a-half years since ASDA wanted to purchase the Powergen building.
Newcomers to Shirley may not be aware that residents of Shirley have been in conflict three times with the ASDA group to prevent it from settling here because we knew that the premises they had in mind would be so colossal that it would dwarf the shopping area. At their first attempt we had the backing of our council of the day and some Birmingham councillors opposing the idea as they were concerned that Hall Green would be affected by the extra trafic it would incurr. When all the points were considered Shirley was successful in preventing the ASDA store from coming at that time and we firmly believed it would be the end of the matter.
Not so. We were dismayed when ASDA returned again in 1999. Meetings were held daily for about a fortnight in the counciol house, there was an independent arbitrator and it was touch and go as to what their decision would be. But he walked around the district, listened to what people had to say and made a judgement that with the other food outlets and various supermarkets already there, Shirley was far too small to accomodate another of such dimensions.
Our celebrations wer short-lived however as ASDA had the audacity to return again for the third time, this time stealthily and with the blessing of the majority of the present council. Try as we may we can see no way clear of stopping it.
We have endured the Red Route, roads dug up all over the place, new islands, land fill, the green belt of our one and only park originally opened in the 1920s for the pleasure of the people, now being carved up to make way for ASDA.
If that is not enough punishment, we have ben told that unless we find the money ourselves, we have to forfeit our usual display of Christmas lights this year through lack of funding from the council. Loyalty prevails in Shirley and many of our associations, shops and office have already contributed to this cause. But we still have a long way to go. It was therefore heartening so see Malcolm and Ann Turner in your newspaper this week promoting their exhibition of artwork to help swell the coffers for the lights. I did express my fears at last night's meeting of the Shirley Residents' Association that if we do well this year the council will expect us to get the same results each year.
Whatever the outcome, I sincerely hope that the illuminated crosses will still burn brightly at each place of worship along the Stratford Road at Christmas and not be sacrificed as well, even though, through no fault of our own we may have to accept a smaller display than usual.
But please come along at Christmas and enjoy what we have to offer.
Nicky Price
Shirley Residents' Association

Some of your ill-tempered letter writing negative opposers to Parkgate Shirley Advance labour under the delusion that anyone (like me) who disagrees with their Prophet of Doom attitude is a stooge for local Conservative Council.
As a Labour supporter for 65 years I refute their silly claim, as for many years I've publicly criticised any wrong Tory decisions.
On September 11 an almost full team of the Economic Development and Regeneration Scrutiny Board, comprising four Tory and two Labour councillors, plus myself as Co-optee, met senior officers for bi-monthly important discussions and questionning.
Only notable absentees were the three Lib Dem councillors, even though - if otherwise engaged - they can delegate substitutes. Being fair, Norman Davies did submit his apology.
Perhaps his colleagues were totally engeged keeping constant useless vigil on Fairy Glen at straggling slowly dying Shirley High Street. What the area badly needs is a kiss of life.
Continuing 'kick starting' regeneration of the North of the Borough is vital to commercial and individual preosperity of all of Solihull. Same criteria apply to Shirley. Central Solihull's Touchwood development was successful as will be the soon to be completed sports complex at Tudor Grange which Liberals foolishly opposed.
Thous not an ASDA fan, I do accept in North fine plane, they will again be the essential anchor. Thank goodness 'quick silver'. Lib Dems do not have not managed to poke their sticky fingers in there. They seek influence, but shy away from responsibility and thus are not fit to govern locally or nationally.
Don Bargey
Solihull

I am fully aware that we live in an affluent area of the country where the quality of living is good and the standard of education is high. But I have to admit to being extremely impressed with the letter writing of A Dobbin in last week's paper. What a clever horse. Not only was he able to read the comments of previous readers, but he is obviously talented enough to be able to write or use a computer too.
If we keep building on those skills, the horses will soon be able to drive cars and there will be no more arguments over who has more right to be on the road.
G Jones
Via e-mail

Thank you to all the customers of Somerfields in Monkspath who kindly contributed to the bucket collection at the store on Saturday 15 September.  A magnificent £208.39 was raised.  This money will help to improve the lives of people living with cancer.  Thank you for your support.
Ann Gumery Fundraising Assistant  for Macmillan Cancer Support,
Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull

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