Shanty Oak

Is Selly Oak to be turned into a shanty town? We are concerned by a number of recent planning applications which will see the building of large, brick, "garden stores" in the back gardens of rented properties. The size and style of these stores - which are complete with running water and electricity - make them habitable and we know of a least one property where the garden store is rented as a separate dwelling with its own postal address. Is this good planning policy?

We are also concerned by applications that have been recommended for approval despite including clear planing breaches that have been subject to recent enforcement proceedings including "tear down" notices at other nearby properties. Some consistency is needed in a Ward where developers are known to pay scant attention to planning regulations.