United stand: Residents fight to stop car park on green belt land - The Solihull Observer

United stand: Residents fight to stop car park on green belt land

Solihull Editorial 4th Mar, 2021   0

RESIDENTS have voiced their horror at plans to build a 388 space car park on greenbelt land in Marston Green.

The site is a wildlife haven and parkland and their protest has been backed by local MP Saqib Bhatti and Solihull borough councillors.

The application has been lodged by Jaguar Land Rover supplier IAC, occupiers of the Prologis Park Birmingham Interchange building.

If given the go-ahead it would take the number of parking spaces serving the site to more than 600.




But campaigners say in an age of protecting the greenbelt, when more people are working from home and the green travel agenda, the application is totally out of step with the times.

Furthermore they say permission for the controversial Prologis building was only given three years ago on condition the developers landscape and preserve the site now selected for the car park.


“We fought against the Prologis building, although they have done so much to enhance the greenbelt between us and the warehouse by landscaping it and planting trees,” said Pat Preece, who lives in Blackfirs Lane and whose house will front the car park if it is given the go ahead.

“Everyone says how wonderful it is now, but it will all disappear under tarmac if this car park is given the go ahead, and then where will the green be in Marston Green?”

Another resident added: “In this environmentally friendly age, when the Government is trying to get us to walk, cycle and use public transport they want to put in a 388 space car park.

“The council have put in new cycle ways and the bus stops directly outside the building.

“Also just up the road they’re advertising 400 parking spaces for rent.”

Local borough Councillor Bob Sleigh said: “We were quite taken aback by this application.

“When the Prologis development came forward it came as a shock to residents, but the firm worked with them so that something good could come out of it.

“Now the new owners have come forward with this, doubling the size of a car park on a landscaped piece of land.

“It’s a great shock, and we will fight it all the way.”

Local MP Sajid Bhatti said he backed the campaigners and would be writing to the planning office in support of residents’ objections.

To see the planning application – PL/2021/00189/PPFL – click https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

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