This is a text written by founding member of Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan (Joe Holyoak, pictured right) to explain what the plan in Balsall Heath is, how it came to exist, and what is happening to it now.

“Neighbourhood Planning, as a specific legal activity, was introduced in the Localism Act of 2011, which was one of the first Acts produced by the new coalition government of which David Cameron was Prime Minister. The Act, for the first time, gave residents of a neighbourhood the power to make a plan for the future growth and development of their neighbourhood which would have legal status, and become part of the portfolio of plans held by the local planning authority.

Previous to the Localism Act, there were plenty of examples of community planning, which is the general name given to the kind of activity of which Neighbourhood Planning is an example. Residents made proposals for their neighbourhoods, sometimes with assistance from planning officers in the local authority. But their proposals had no legal status. Plans with legal status could be made only by the local planning authority. The Localism Act changed all that.

Following the Act, 17 places in England were named by the government as “frontrunners”, given the opportunity, and some funding, to make the first Neighbourhood Plans. Balsall Heath was one of these 17, because of its reputation, established over many years, as a place where residents could make things happen, in the community interest. The Balsall Heath Forum was the body designated with the responsibility for making the plan. Following a local referendum, where residents voted 90% in support of the proposed plan, the Balsall Heath NDP became law in 2015: the first Neighbourhood Plan in Birmingham.

A Neighbourhood Plan has a nominal life of 20 years. So our NDP is now halfway through its lifetime, and it should receive an interim review of how well it is doing, and what, if anything, needs changing. Sadly, the Balsall Heath Forum is no longer around to do the review. So a new designated body needs to be formed in order to do the job. This needs to include at least 21 local residents and workers, and to be representative of Balsall Heath. A group called the Balsall Heath Collaborative is in the process of forming this body.

What are the policies in the NDP, and what has it achieved so far? There is a lot yet to be achieved, but here are some of the areas where positive progress has been made.

• New housing. The three sites designated in the plan for new housing – on Haden Way, Moseley Road and Highgate Road - are now all under construction.

• Balsall Heath Station. While there is still no firm timetable for the opening of a railway station, the proposal is approved in principle by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

• Historic Buildings. The historic buildings along Moseley Road are seeing investment and improvement. The old Moseley School of Art is renovated as a community hub. Moseley Road Baths and Balsall Heath Library have a £32 million programme of repair and conversion, due to start on site later this year.”

Thanks Joe.

What next?

Some residents and stakeholders have been meeting up to discuss whether there is any scope in a formal review of the 2015-31 Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan, which is now 10 years old. This includes:

• Firstly, deciding if this is something the group wishes to pursue, and to let other people in the community know about it

• Planning to, and consulting with residents and stakeholders across Balsall Heath (Wards: Balsall Heath West and Balsall Heath East) and sharing details about the 2015-31 plan

• Exploring / asking questions about the plan’s relevance, and assessing its impact to date

• Gathering this evidence to create an addendum to the Neighbourhood Plan, which would suggest the plan is still relevant, or where there may be differences

• Concurrently, establishing an eligible body (made up of 21 residents/stakeholders), in place of the disbanded Neighbourhood Forum, to lead on the plan, and therefore, be able to submit Neighbourhood Development Orders, apply for funding, and so forth.

The informal stakeholders group

The group of residents and stakeholders referenced above, have no formal plans to conduct a review, though it has been discussed. A formal review would be a significant undertaking. The suggestions of possible routes forwards (above) are not set in stone - the group are also not in receipt of any funding. They continue to be committed to Balsall Heath as individuals as well as collectively.