Stirchley Co-operative Development (SCD), a group of local people in housing and worker co-operatives, is a co-op but not affiliated with “The Co-op” supermarket chain.
SCD is planning to build affordable and eco-friendly residential and retail premises in the heart of Stirchley on the corner of Hunts Road and Pershore Road to the right of the British Oak pub with Accord, a housing association with a track record of building cost-conscious flatpack houses that meet the Code for Sustainable Homes. After positive early talks with Seven Capital the group decided that the derelict land on the corner of Hunts Rd and Pershore Rd would make a suitable site for their project, which will not be part of Seven Capital’s development around Hazelwell Lane.
Chris Tomlinson of Birmingham Bike Foundry (BBF), an SDC member, spoke about the development at a meeting of the Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum some time ago.
He outlined plans for 30 residential units of a variety of sizes and 3 retail units built to high environmental standards. The development would be up to 3 storeys with some accessible residential units on the ground floor. All residents would be members of the co-operative and the retail units would be aimed at co-operative businesses, possibly relocating some local co-operatives on to the site.
In January Inside Media reported a council document published ahead of the meeting said: “It is considered that the proposal maintains the character and appearance of the area and has no adverse impact on the setting of a listed building”- a reference to The British Oak.
The development plan received the Council’s approval on 21 January (c) Stirchley Co-operative Development
Anca Voinea reported that the proposal was approved by Birmingham City Council on 21 January and Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, commented: “This is a refreshing change from the normal profit led developments by companies whose shareholders have no interest in Stirchley.”
SCD is now negotiating the purchase of land from Seven Capital.
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