23/06/06

Liam and residents welcome park
re-location

Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill today welcomed news that Birmingham City Council have given in to calls from Liam and local residents in Darley Avenue, over plans for a new neighbourhood park in the area.

MP Liam took up the residents’ fight after listening to their fears about the potential problems of lack of supervision, future upkeep, and policing needs of proposed plans for a new neighbourhood park in Darley Avenue.

Money for the park has already been secured through the Government’s section 106 planning law, which encourages housing developers to set aside extra money for local neighbourhood improvements. Some of that money has already been spent on improving an existing footbridge over the River Cole, cycle path links along the riverside, and a multi youth games court off Brookmeadow Road.

Liam and local residents are now calling on the council to re locate the park nearer to Cole Hall Lane, so that local children can benefit but residents are not scared about local youths running riot.

Liam said

“I’m delighted for local residents that the Darley Avenue plans have been shelved. It’s good to know that the head of planning has listened to our objections on the positioning of the park. It’s been a long fight to get a positive decision, but it’s been worth it.”

“We’ve now got to look to get the park in the right place. Residents tell me that they want to see more facilities for young people, it’s just a case of getting the balance right between providing facilities and protecting local people.”

“This is of a positive story in another way. The money for this park has only been won because of this Labour Government’s planning policies. I want to work together with local residents to see that every penny is used with the best effect”.

ENDS