Calthorpe Estates, Birminghams wealthiest private landowner, has objected to new regulations that would force it to contribute financially to the Midland Metro extension.
Calthorpe owns land around the west side of Five Ways, Edgbaston, the destination of the £52m tram line.
It has lodged an objection to the councils plans to revise its Unitary Development Plan (UDP) to insist that developers seeking planning permission in the area help pay for the tram line’s construction.
At present the UDP “encourages” developers to contribute towards the Metro. Its revised version says that firms “will be expected” to contribute.
The revised UDP has proposed greater retail and commercial development for the Five Ways estate over the next 10 years.
Chief planning officer for Birmingham Emrys Jones made it clear that the council would not back down. “I consider it is entirely reasonable to seek contributions towards the Metro extension from developers of major traffic-generating schemes in the vicinity.”
EGi News 22/05/02
