GARDEN DEVELOPERS | | Is a housing development heading to a back garden near you? |
As house prices spiral as high as trendy loft apartments, there are big profits to be made by suburban property developers. The search for land is now moving out of the city centre to leafy suburbs across the West Midlands. It means homes can face demolition to allow developers to build more houses on the site. The bigger your site the more likely a developer will knock at your door. Is a housing development heading to a back garden near you?  | | Julie Walker leads the protest |
At Great Barr, in Sandwell, house owner John Owen has spent 30 years cultivating his massive garden. He has vowed to stop developers getting their hands on his plot of land even though his neighbours are succumbing to the temptation. Some successIn Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham Julie Walker has already fought off one application now faced with a second she is determined to win. Julie has joined a local action group who are fighting 17 applications by developers to demolish houses in Sutton Coldfield. Having heard how Sutton Coldfield have taken their fight to the top, John Owen from Great Barr hopes to get some answers from Sandwell's head of planning.  | | John Owen is looking for answers |
But developers can resubmit plans until they are successful. Twenty miles away in Stourbridge plans to demolish two houses near a conservation area have been turned down. The developers now intend to build three houses, 10 apartments and underground parking. The neighbours are definitely not happy.
Giles Horwitch Smith showed Inside Out his latest development in Harborne, Birmingham. He sold his Internet business and moved into property. He said; "The market place is interesting it is a very exciting time. "Property development has picked up a bad name but it's a business involved in improving the city and all the areas around it."  | | Suburban development |
Fears over developmentJack Edmonds enjoys his garden but he is worried about the planned development. He fears it is a problem facing many house owners across the West Midlands. As Jack seeks sanctuary in his garden, it might only be a matter of time before the peace and quiet is lost to the builders. Local residents held a public meeting to confront the solicitor for the developers. Beneath the polite suburban veneer it is getting nasty. Developers may be in for a lot of flack but they have been creating new lifestyles and revitalising areas all be it at a hefty price. |