More than 740 acres of green belt land will be released across Birmingham for commercial and housing development, following the government inspectorate’s endorsement of the city’s development plan.
The 15-year plan will kickstart the development of 3.8m sq ft of shops and 8m sq ft of offices, while 175 acres at Peddimore, north of the city, has been zoned for commercial development, including industrial and distribution.
Around 89,000 homes are proposed to deal with the city’s chronic housing shortfall. Birmingham will accommodate 51,000, with 45,000 built on brownfield sites and 6,000 at Langley, next to Peddimore, on the green belt.
The inspector backed the council’s approach to the release of green belt land despite widespread opposition from residents in the Sutton Coldfield area. However, locals could appeal the decision once the local authority takes the plan to council.
