Hall green stadium housing to go ahead

Proposals to knock down Hall Green Greyhound Stadium to make way for hundreds of new homes have been approved by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee.Insider revealed in February that developers Wulff PDM and Euro Property Investments had earmarked the venue on York Road for 210 properties with 34,300 sq ft of open space.The application first went in front of the committee in June with a recommendation for approval but was minded to refuse due to the loss of employment, lack of affordable housing and the loss of a community facility. A petition with more than 2,600 signatures objecting to the scheme was also submitted to the city council.Last week, Insider reported that it was due to go in front of councillors for a final decision, with the applicants contesting estimates on the stadium’s staff numbers and spectator numbers.Supporting the plans at a 21 July meeting cllr Barry Henley said the grounds for refusal “don’t hold water”.A majority of seven members voted in favour of approving the development after a vote to refuse the project on the grounds of the reasons given at the previous meeting was blocked.