RESIDENTS IN A SPIN OVER EDGBASTON APPROVAL

14-05-2009

Warwickshire Cricket Club’s controversial redevelopment of Edgbaston has been given the go ahead by Birmingham Council – subject to final approval by the government. Bears bosses promised to deliver “world class sporting facilities” but local councillor Salma Yaqoob accused them of “arrogance”.

The expansion of the club’s capacity, the installation of permanent floodlights and the development of a hotel – all backed by a £20million City Council loan – fall outside the development plan for the area, and so must be rubber-stamped by Communitiies Secretary Hazel Blears.

Nevertheless, the assumption is that the scheme (which was originally deferred pending further discussions with local residents) will now go ahead following a 9-4 vote in favour.

Warwickshire Chief Executive Colin Povey said: “It would be difficult to overstate the importance of redeveloping Edgbaston to the Club, Birmingham and wider region. Our plans will enable to us to provide world class sporting facilities for players, fans and the thousands of young people that use our ground every year.

“We recognise that this wasn’t an easy decision for the planning committee and thank them for their support. We have been faced with a challenging timescale for this decision and the Club will work hard both to satisfy the planning conditions and to take forward our engagement with local residents to try to ensure a positive outcome for all.

“Edgbaston has a rich history that is rooted in Birmingham and some of the most memorable moments in cricket.

"The support we have received for our plans has come from across the City and is testament to the passion of cricket fans in the region. Our new ground, and the enabling development, will generate thousands of new jobs and help to secure international cricket for the next generation, hopefully creating many more memories for fans.”

Cllr Salma Yaqoob, Chair the Sparkbrook Ward Committee, who has led the campaign against the development in its current form, said she was “angry” at the vote and complained the club had been “arrogant”.

She said: “They were asked by the club to liaise with residents, but they only asked community groups to a meeting a few days before the planning committee, when it was too late to alter the scheme.

"They had already submitted their plans, so that showed how interested they were in listening to people who live near the ground.”

Yaqoob is concerned that conditions attached to the planning consent, including better consultation, have only been made verbally, and do not tie the cricket club in any way.

She added: “There is still a chance to make this a ‘win win’. They could consider retractable floodlights, for example, which is what is happening at Lords and would make residents feel their concerns have been taken into account, but the club is not interested in being a good neighbour”.

The Planning Committee received more than 1,000 letters of objection.

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