Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Oct 98/Nov 98

Guest Article

Michael Gale, Aston local resident, outlines the plans put forward by Aston Villa to extend its ground and the implications this has for valuable green space and flora.

Sunday September 6th saw a massive demonstration of local feeling against the plans of Aston Villa Football Club to expand its Villa Park ground. The plans include not only rebuilding and enlarging the Trinity Road stand, but also diverting part of Trinity Road and extending into Aston Park and the area surrounding Aston Hall, which includes a play centre and other recreational facilities. The plans would increase the capacity of Villa Park from the present 39,000 to 50,000.

The stand-off between the local community and the Football Club goes back a number of years. Under the chairmanship of Doug Ellis, the Witton Road stand, which now bears his name, was substantially rebuilt and enlarged in 1993 despite local protestations. The new all seater Holte End was opened in 1994. As a result Villa Park has become one of the top sporting venues in the country and was one of eight grounds chosen to host Euro 96. It has also, controversially, staged pop concerts. The planned developments would make it one of the finest grounds in Europe, but there are many who would question whether such a venue should be located in the heart of a residential area in the first place, and believe that the City Council, which has the power to grant or withhold planning permission, should have taken a much firmer line right from the outset.

The campaigners are a broad coalition of local groups. The recent demonstration, in which protesters formed a human chain around the ground, was organised by the Aston Neighbourhood Forum and the Aston Federation of Churches and Mosques, and attracted more than 1,000 local residents. Such was the strength of feeling that the City Council's Planning Committee has postponed the meeting at which the crucial decision will be made. This meeting is now scheduled for 24th September.

The campaigners believe that the issues are simple. The expansion will lead to an increase in match-day traffic and parking, and therefore more pollution. The problem will be compounded by the likely move to more Sunday football if the television moguls get their way. They also feel strongly that Aston Park and its facilities belong to the people of Aston. The area of the park earmarked for development includes an area of mature trees, one of which is believed to be more than 200 years old.

What it comes down to is a David and Goliath struggle for the heart of Aston, a local community against the might of a Premiership football club worth millions, the claims of local people against the claims of big business seeking to increase its profits. The question is, in whose favour will the City Council decide?

Michael Gale

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