A business developer has been slammed for its plan to cut down historic trees to build “eco-homes” instead. The plan has been laid down by Bournbrook Secret Woods for its Cadbury chocolate factory in Bournville, Birmingham. The business consortium has revealed that it will have to slash 70 historic trees to accommodate eco homes, a treetop walkway, car park and large community centre.
Residents, who have fought off plans for homes and phone masts on the woodland, at first thought, the idea was an “April Fool” after discovering the information on the website on April 1.
However, they were left baffled after realising that it was genuine and have since called on Birmingham City Council councilor Mary Locke to intervene.
The consortium claims the plan will “regenerate a mismanaged, long forgotten and overgrown woodland into an urban oasis of biodiversity”.
However, the plan has not gone down well with the residents who claimed that the area is already a “perfect eco environment” with a rich diversity of foxes, squirrels, hawks and butterflies.
Ria, who has lived in the area for 20 years, told MailOnline: “The area is already a perfect eco environment.
“We see foxes sunbathing on our garden and squirrels visit everyday – we’ve even seen harrier hawks visit our garden.
“How can anyone think that destroying all this natural beauty is eco-friendly?”
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Residents also claimed that the consortium’s idea that the woodland is a “hive of anti-social behaviour” with habitual fly tipping and illegal tree felling is false.
The land was purchased by Bournbrook Secret Woods Ltd for £75,000 in November 2022.
The company is comprised of James Hewson, Lee Blake and Melissa Jones, none of whom appear to live in Bournville.
The Bournville Eco Village website says: “We plan to build a world-class eco village and a totally unique education and community hub which will attract thousands of visitors each year – boosting the local economy in our community.
“We will regenerate a mismanaged, long forgotten and overgrown woodland into an urban oasis of biodiversity nestled between historic Bournville and artisan Stirchley.”
Residents are also worried thousands of visitors attracted to the eco village’s community centre would turn their quiet drive where children often cycle into a busy road.
Some claimed the green space at the top of Sparrey Drive, where children play during the summer, would also be lost to the eco village.
Bournbrook Secret Woods was asked to comment but failed to respond.
The Cadbury brothers moved their chocolate business to the area from the backstreets of Birmingham and opened the Cadbury factory in 1879.
