Results tagged “housing” from Birmingham Post - News Blog

In one of the most important exercises for years, the city council is asking people how many new houses and flats should be built in Birmingham over a 20-year period and whether the additional dwellings should impinge on green field and green belt land.
But councillors of all political colours know deep down that the consultation, if not exactly a sham, is somewhat superfluous.
Ask the people of Birmingham whether they want development on the green belt and the answer will be a resounding no.
But that is exactly what will happen if the Government, in the shape of Housing Minister Baroness Andrews, forces the council to identify sufficient land to accommodate 65,000 new dwellings between 2006 and 2026.

Local newspaper hacks at Westminster are gearing up for the big announcement tomorrow, Thursday, when the Government will publish a shortlist of proposed eco-towns.

Ministers have left it to the last minute, as the Commons breaks up for the Easter recess tomorrow afternoon and most MPs will already have begun the journey back to their constituencies.

It means there will be little opportunity for Ministers to be questioned in the Commons.

But Housing Minister Caroline Flint has written to MPs explaining what happens next.

Of 57 proposals received by developers, 15 will be shortlisted tomorrow. Ten of these will eventually go ahead.

In the West Midlands, proposed eco-towns near Stratford, Warwickshire, and Lichfield, Staffordshire, are thought to be contenders. Another proposed development near Evesham, Worcestershire, is thought less likely to get the green light.

But the speculation will end tomorrow when the shortlist is published. Whatever Ministers decide, it's sure to be controversial.