VOTE TO BE TAKEN ON THE FUTURE OF JEWELLERY QUARTER

A new neighbourhood plan aimed at shaping the future of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter district is being put to a referendum next month.

The plan is hoping to provide a blueprint for the development of the area over the following decade.

The neighbourhood plan was initiated by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust in 2014 and has since been developed following consultation with local businesses, residents and community groups.

Its main aims include driving up the quality of new buildings, protecting heritage buildings and tackling dereliction and supporting the jewellery and creative industries based in the area. It is also seeking to make it easier and safer to travel around the Jewellery Quarter, generating more footfall and trade and creating more public spaces.

Business leaders say the plan will also more than double the amount of money generated by the Community Infrastructure Levy that is spent in the Jewellery Quarter.

Estimates suggest the district is home to an estimated 10,000 workers and 10,000 residents and more than 300 jewellery-related businesses still operate in the area, generating £750 million a year.

Residential development has increased greatly too in recent years, with more than 1,000 homes being completed over the past five years and another 1,000 in the pipeline in the next three years.

A referendum on the adoption of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan will be held on July 13th and, if more than 50% vote in favour of it, it will carry statutory weight in determining how planning applications are decided by Birmingham City Council.

Nicola Fleet-Milne, co-chairwoman of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan committee, said: “The plan has been written by the Jewellery Quarter, with input from businesses, creatives, community groups and residents. It is also fully supported by Historic England and Birmingham City Council.

People who live and work here are passionate about protecting the area’s unique history and heritage – both its buildings and its businesses – and it is vital they are consulted as the area evolves.

A ‘yes’ vote ensures that locals have their priorities addressed in development that takes place in the Jewellery Quarter.”

The city council is writing to all businesses to invite them to register to vote in the referendum ahead of the deadline of June 28. Residents will need to be on the Electoral Roll and will be sent voting information.