Jess recently met with Garretts Green residents to make sure the community's voice was heard by the visiting planning committee at the former Sheldon Police Station. 
 
For over a year Jess has supported local residents in their fight to block the planning application which seeks permission to house many vulnerable groups with conflicting specialist requirements. The prominent location of the building and the diverse mix of prospective residents makes the application entirely unsuitable.
 
The application was originally turned down by the planning Committee in 2018, but a revised version was submitted earlier this year with a decision pending later this month.
 
Jess said: "Supported accommodation is a necessary part of our housing mix and vulnerable people need to be cared for in discreet, specialised locations. A former police station overlooking a large residential area is not that location.”
 
It is essential that people's reasonable objections are listened to by developers and local government, and that a fair outcome is secured for both local people and the prospective occupants of any development. Following the visit Jess and local councillor Saddak Miah have submitted the following further objections:
 
FURTHER OBJECTION
Application No: 2019/03098/PA - 191 Sheldon Heath Road Sheldon Birmingham B26 2DR
 
Following the site meeting on the 11th July 2019, further issues of concern have arisen.
 
Firstly, we understand that the recreational space at the rear of the building in former car park will be used until 11pm at night.
 
This is immediately adjacent to two residential properties. The accompanying noise and disruption is likely to affect the amenity of these properties.
 
The residents have also raised concerns about being overlooked by residents using the roof garden. Again, this is likely to affect their enjoyment of the facilities of their homes.
 
Removal of the roof garden would affect the total amenity space available to the development. We have already raised concerns about the utility of this roof garden as a safe amenity space and again draw your attention to the significant weight given to amenity space by the planning inspector that upheld the original refusal. Given the nature of the expected occupants, keeping them safe must be a priority.
 
We have been made aware that the provider intending to take up the lease of the property will be offering accommodation to adults with mental health issues. This provided some reassurance to residents, however concerns were raised that this would require 24-hour access to the site. Additionally, concerns were raised about whether there was sufficient staff accommodation to ensure the safe management of the site, given the size of the establishment.
 
Residents are also concerned that once permission for conversion is granted, there is no protection that would stop the developer or the provider from changing the type of residents housed. We would request that conditions be imposed on the property to restrict this.
 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
The planning committee’s decision is due in the coming week, if you have any further objections you would like to raise please email them to: planningandregenerationenquiries@birmingham.gov.uk
 

Jess attended the Afternoon Tea Party at Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, where the school showcased the students' amazing work researching and commemorating local veterans of WW1, inspired by the nearby Stechford war memorial.
 
Year 4 pupils presented research into the history of the 'Men of Stechford' recorded at the memorial, and the school choir performed a medley of wartime songs for the local church group who were in attendance.
 
The school also displayed amazing new commemorative art pieces which will later be installed in the school's prayer garden.
 
This fantastic event both marked the importance of the sacrifice of those who have served in previous wars, and the need for us to work together to achieve peace for the future.
 

Carers Week is a national awareness week that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution made by those caring unpaid for someone living with an illness, disability, mental health condition or as they grow older. Research released for Carers Week suggests there could be many more people than previously thought acting as unpaid carers to their family and friends - as many as 8.8 million adult carers across the UK.
 
Jess Phillips MP attended an event in Parliament to celebrate the valuable contribution carers make locally.
 
Jess said : “Carers make a huge contribution to our society, providing vital and often hidden support to friends and family members.That is why I am supporting Carers Week 2019 and encouraging individuals and organisations across Yardley to think about what more they can do to get carers connected to support and ensure carers feel valued and supported.”
 
The seven charities driving Carers Week 2019 are calling on individuals, organisations and services throughout the country to improve the lives of carers by getting carers connected to practical and financial support, and are calling for a step change in the way society supports those caring unpaid for family and friends.
 
The call comes after new research revealed that one in three unpaid carers (35 per cent) are always or often lonely, compared with just one in twenty (five per cent) of the general population.
 
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, on behalf of Carers Week, said:
“Caring for family or friends can be a rewarding experience, but without the right support it can also have a huge impact on carers’ lives. Our research shows that many carers feel alone and are struggling with low levels of wellbeing despite the invaluable contribution they make.  It’s time carers received greater recognition and support.
 
“Government, employers, health and care professionals, schools and universities, and each of us individually, all have a role putting carers in touch with practical and financial help.”
 
The charities supporting Carers Week 2019 are Carers UK, Age UK, Carers Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, MS Society, Rethink Mental Illness and Sense.
 
The headline supporter of Carers Week 2019 is British Gas, who will be providing its customers with support and advice on unpaid caring throughout the week, and Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition also supporting.
 
Thousands of events are taking place across the country this week, and thousands of people have already pledged their support for carers online. To find out more about events in Yardley or for further information about caring visit www.carersweek.org
 

If you're out and about in the morning this Sunday 12th May be aware that areas around the Coventry Road and Brays Road will be affected by road closures for the Birmingham and Midlands Velo. 
 
We're on Sector 1 of the route which will be closed off from 4:45am to 10:30am.
 
You can view a detailed map of the route here: www.velobirmingham.com/the-route/road-closures

Birmingham Licencing Committee has refused to grant a late night refreshment licence to the planned Lap Dancing club at the fomer Zorba's restaurant.
 
The plans, which Jess and many local campaigners objected to, were also opposed by the police, enviromental health, schools and residents.
 
There is still time for the applicant to appeal, so Jess will continue to monitor the application and keep local residents update about further developments.
 

Across the country people are taking part in the Great British Spring Clean, getting out into their communities to keep them tidy. This year hundreds of thousands have signed up for this annual event.
 
There are spring cleans taking place across Yardley, and today Jess was out in the Oaklands Rec with pupils from Cedars Academy and Lyndon Green Junior School for one of the litter picks. Jess also hosted a competition with the local schools to design posters to promote the spring clean, with Yardley residents voting for the winner for each school year group.