Residents oppose 95 homes on the banks of Edgbaston Reservoir

Plans to build 95 affordable homes on the banks of Edgbaston Reservoir have met strong opposition from residents, who say the beauty spot should be protected as a "peaceful haven".

Keon Homes and the housing association Midland Heart have submitted plans for the former Tower Ballroom site. The homes would be net zero and aimed at families on the council's waiting list, including homeless families now living in temporary accommodation.

"An oasis of calm"

Residents fear the scheme would harm wildlife, worsen traffic and change the character of the reservoir.

Alexander Rawlins, 45, who lives on Osler Street, said the reservoir had been part of his daily life for 20 years. "It's been something that's constant and brings a lot of joy. The wildlife, the trees, and everything. It's an oasis of calm in a city and life that are busy," he said. "It's not saying there isn't a need for housing but, please don't put it on a greenspace."

Iris Bertz, who lives nearby and founded an arts and heritage organisation, said the reservoir drew people from all over Birmingham. "One of our colleagues once said it's like the United Nations," she said. She also worried about families with young children living so close to the water.

David Gaussen said the developers' own figures showed a 38% loss of biodiversity on the site, and that four-storey blocks near the waterfront would spoil the view. Another resident said bats, badgers, owls and herons lived around the reservoir, and accused the council of relying on outdated traffic data.

"I've hardly seen a greener site"

Councillor Raheem Humphreys, the Green member for Ladywood, said he supported the need for more homes but questioned the location. "When I looked at this development, and saw the council describing this as a brownfield site, I've hardly seen a greener site," he said. "If you want somewhere to stay natural, it's got to stay natural."

The developers' case

Keon Homes and Midland Heart say the plans respect the environment. The homes would be "net zero from day one", built with sustainable materials and low-carbon methods, with solar panels, low-carbon heating and new areas for wildlife.

"We will deliver 95 affordable homes at a time when housing need across Birmingham has never been higher, with nearly 8,000 households currently on housing waiting lists," they said.

The wider dilemma

The Tower Ballroom was a well-known dance hall beside the reservoir for many years. Because the site has been built on before, the council treats it as brownfield, or previously developed, land, which planning policy generally favours for new homes.

The row captures a dilemma facing the whole city. Birmingham has thousands of families in temporary accommodation, which costs the council a great deal and is often unsuitable for children, and it needs many more affordable homes. But almost every site proposed for housing is valued by somebody.

The application will be decided by the council's planning committee, and residents can comment on it through the council's planning portal until a decision is made.