Why do I even bother when a rich guy can unfortunately everything I work for and more?

[BirminghamWildlifeAdvocate]

My local council has had an application submitted to remove a massive portion of woodland which connects two nature reserves, is alongside a river which acts as a corridor for nature. Deer, badgers, hedgehogs even otters use this area to move through birmingham. For food, to breed, to live.
And someone has decided they would like to build houses on that area and destroy hundred year old trees, homes and food sources of countless animals.

The planning application includes these words "the site must be checked every morning for trapped or dead deer." So they know and expect to kill wildlife.

This is the middle of Birmingham by the way, a major city with limited green space. Why can't they build on the countless empty unused carparks? The dilapidated buildings and warehouses? Why here? Why this magical piece of land that contains so much? For 14 houses?
I know there is a housing crisis but these won't be houses for socal housing, they will be really expensive and massive and nobody i know will be able to afford them.

This site will most likely cause flooding, the area was purposely left over a hundred years ago to act as a flood plain.

There have been over 60 objections so far. I started a petition and got over 700 people to sign it. I was told by my local mp that it probably won't be enough and even though they are supporting me and raised an objection themselves, it will probably go ahead as the developers have a right to appeal of they are refused but 3rd parties don't if it is accepted.

I don't know how I can live in a world where I can spend all of my time and money trying to be eco friendly, when someone else with more money can say "right let's destroy this so I can get even more money!" I can't believe it. I feel sick and so worried for my children's future. For their safety.
There have been 2 similar developments on green spaces in my local area in the last decade. Why?

I'll Show you the link. If anyone can spend the time to object. This goes against the National planning policy framework for England, and it goes against the Air Quality Action Plan for Birmingham 2021-2026.
But that doesn't matter because money can be made.

eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=1169190&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Birmingham/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Birmingham/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

YANBU MPs aren't officially allowed to intervene in planning matters.

The "planning" system is an absolute fucking joke.

You could try bringing this to the attention of your local Wildlife Trust. They can be very useful in putting pressure on planning when developments go against local planning policies

Post it on your local Facebook page too

The problem is that the majority of brownfield sites have a lot of issues that make them uneconomic to develop and we desperately desperately need far more cheaper housing to be built.

You will probably find the car parks to you refer to are not unused, in most areas there's a lack of parking not a surplus of it.

The only option is for the state to build homes and absorb additional costs of brownfield sites etc. The private sector will not.

Oh - and if you have the energy - getting people to write in individual objections quoting the relevant policies is far more effective than just signing a petition. I'm in Sheffield and a local campaign group together with the Wildlife Trust managed to stop the development of a semi natural ancient woodland here. It's not entirely hopeless.

OP when there were similar issues where I lived my MP posted flyers through peoples doors with the objection procedure and suggested wording - could you do similar?

Also have you tried contacting the media and local FB groups? Have you posted on Nextdoor?

Also as PP said more individual objections less petitioning

I have, I've spent the last 3 weeks emailing the woodland Trust, the wildlife Trust, all of the mps, posting on Facebook on every group I can think of, I emailed the zero waste shop, I called and asked everyone I know to object. I'm not very popular, it was my family. I can't believe it. I even emailed the ecologist who, unsurprisingly, didn't get back to me.

I have done everything I can. I have poured through hundreds and hundreds of pages of legislation. I don't know anything about it but some things are stark such as the National planning policy framework :-
"irreplaceable habbitats must not be destroyed"

why is it allowed?

I only set up the petition as its a quick and easy way to get the information around. With pictures and a little scale that shows how many other people care about it.
over 700 people signed. Means nothing.
only 60 objections.

This is so sad. The “housing crisis” is that properties are being built cheaply for profit, rather than a lack of enough accommodation. And the prices of new builds are artificially inflating the market, pushing up prices for everyone. Just so someone at the top can make more money. It really is sickening, but if they can just ignore objections what hope is there?! Echo a PP in contacting the Wildlife Trust, although presumably the local branch is aware of the proposals. I objected similarly to the HS2 section that destroyed ancient woodland. They counter it by “planting more trees” but older trees absorb more carbon and it seems no thought is given to making new habitats and not just sticking trees in the ground. Good on you OP for making a noise about this.

Has this piece of land been classified as an "irreplaceable habitat"? On google maps it looks like includes 2 of the aforementioned discussed carparks. Or are they not part of the application? I can't get it to open on my phone sorry

You should look into the local authorities local plan and any policies about green space and nature they have in there. Use that against the council in the objection.

I havent put up flyers but someone else has.
Today is the last day for public enquiry. I requested to see the objections raised 2 weeks ago and just got an email. 60.

I feel sick. I literally can't function today. I have done all I can, and it won't even help a little bit. What was the point?

www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20054/local_plan_documents/78/birmingham_development_plan

I’m sorry you sound like a NIMBY. There is a housing shortage and people need houses to live in. It’s not as easy as saying build on brownfield sites as very often these sites are not fit for purpose for housing, they don’t attract families to live in those areas, lack of outdoor/green space and parking for houses. It can also be far more costly to build on brownfield sites.

It’s easy for you to say this sat in your home in a lovely area surrounded by greenery. There are thousands of families who need appropriate housing which there is a lack of.

60 objections is a lot, how many did you really expect?

OP if you can raise some funds there are independent planning consultants who can help you frame an objection using the arcane and ridiculous convoluted goobledegook the planners demand.

@Redcart21

I’m sorry you sound like a NIMBY. There is a housing shortage and people need houses to live in. It’s not as easy as saying build on brownfield sites as very often these sites are not fit for purpose for housing, they don’t attract families to live in those areas, lack of outdoor/green space and parking for houses. It can also be far more costly to build on brownfield sites.

It’s easy for you to say this sat in your home in a lovely area surrounded by greenery. There are thousands of families who need appropriate housing which there is a lack of.

What a load of bollocks. There's only a housing shortage because everything in the UK revolves around big cities.

Also I really object to NIMBY as a derogatory term.
If not for people like the OP, all of our ancient woodlands and habitats would be destroyed. You shouldn't be called names for wanting to take care of our environment.

I know I'm just ranting and raving on here but I absolutely can't do any more. I haven't got the power or the money despite having all of the will in the world.
Someone else doesn't care, and will win. Against me, against my family and children and neighbours.

we had a horrendous flood a few years ago. My local Councillor has shared their concerns about the effect this will have on flooding. He believes it will be bad. there are 250 houses being built on grass and brownfield area (im not too worried about this, grass isn't wooded area)
But add this run off to the loss of trees around the river, the additional run off the access road will cause.
I live at the bottom of 2 Hills. floods would hit me badly. There have been a few local groups talking about flooding recently (I missed it as I had covid). It is a concern but the higher ups done love here they don't care.
One MP does (green party obviously) and he lives in my area, its run down council area. He does more than any other MP with this kind of thing. He seems to be the only one and he said despite his efforts and mine and another lady who printed off and put up posters, we won't win this.

@Redcart21 there are plenty of greenfield and brownfield sites for housing available that dont require shittingball over the natural environment. Developers are after quick wins and big bucks, they don't necessarily want to deal with more difficult sites or modest housing if they can avoid it.

The carpark i mentioned is unused and attracted antisocial behaviour. it has barriers around now. But it can't be built on. we must build on the trees and wildlife

Is this a site that was committed to develop in the LDP? What does the Phase 1 PEA state about the likely ecological impact? What mitigations have been proposed in the planning application? Based on this, why not try to schedule a call with the ecologist at the planning department to discuss your concerns so you can construct a meaningful evidence -based objection before the consultation period ends.

We've had similar here only the local council planning dept declined it and the Sevretary of State overturned it!

@Redcart21

I’m sorry you sound like a NIMBY. There is a housing shortage and people need houses to live in. It’s not as easy as saying build on brownfield sites as very often these sites are not fit for purpose for housing, they don’t attract families to live in those areas, lack of outdoor/green space and parking for houses. It can also be far more costly to build on brownfield sites.

It’s easy for you to say this sat in your home in a lovely area surrounded by greenery. There are thousands of families who need appropriate housing which there is a lack of.

I don't live in a lovely home surrounded by greenery. i live in a run down council house after spending years in a tower block. I spent years saving for this and it cost me an arm and a leg and the only reason I got it was because it doesn't have central heating or even double glazing. in the middle of a city where the only greenery I have access to has been built on and will be built on in the future.

I know there is a housing crisis. I couldn't afford my provate rent and had to live on my sisters floor with my children for months and months.
I spent years in a dirty, dangerous tower block not dissimilar to the one in only fools and horses.

I want more houses I do, but I am angry that at least 50 houses within a mile are me are empty and bored up (council) because they have been left in such disrepair that they are inhabitantable.

You don't know me. I am not some rich person who lives in a greenfield in a mansion. I'm just a working class person in the city trying to not lose my only nice green walk.