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Latest Lapal campaigners celebrate concession The Lapal Canal Trust is celebrating after appearing to gain a concession from developers to incorporate a section of the canal in its plans for a huge new supermarket development at Selly Oak. Last month it was reported that the developers, Land Securities, and their partners Sainsbury's, had backtracked on an offer to restore a section of the waterway from the junction with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, where it runs past the proposed new store. The replacement plans unveiled in September unleashed a storm of protest when it was discovered that the proposed 'canalside' stretch had been reduced to a narrow pedestrian 'greenway' strip. The developers had blamed the poor economic outlook for scaling back the ambition to restore the canal section. Lapal Canal Trust Chairman Peter Best had urged cautious optimism, because he said that apart from ignoring the canal line, there were 'undoubted innovations' in the revised plan. His gentle line seems to have paid off. On 22nd November he announced that "the [selly Oak] Partnership now intends to submit for outline planning consent a plan which includes a length of Lapal Canal across the site instead of the greenway. Unless some unforseen issues arise, they intend to implement that Plan at their expense." Tuesday 22 November | Andrew Denny | 2.48pm, Tuesday 22 November 2011

Yes, and mentioned a few time too. "The design, including levels should allow for re-opening ofthe former Lapal Canal and a pedestrian/cycle route between Selly Oak Park and the Birmingham BatterySite." 8.32 The Worcester & Birmingham Canal should be used as a focus to help generate activity. The development potential of land alongside the canal should be recognised, where this does not adversly affect its landscape quality and openess. Development should front the canal and enhance it as a wildlife and recreational resource. Access should be improved for pedestrians, cyclists and canal-boat navigation, and the introduction of visitor moorings and information panels will be encouraged. In particular, new pedestrian accesses should be created at Bristol Road, Selly Oak hospital and the Birmingham University. There is an opportunity to open up the canal using creative lighting and public art features. Further design guidance on development alongside canals is set out in the “Canalside development in Birmingham” Design Guide (draft SPG). 8.33 The value and feasibility of re-opening the former Dudley No. 2 Canal between Selly Oak, the City boundary and beyond should be further explored. In particular, adjacent development should restore that part of the canal adjacent to the Birmingham Battery site (between the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and Selly Oak Park). link Pdf sellyoak lap1002 <http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Development-Planning%2FPageLayout&cid=1223092558783&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrapper>