ERCO's Activities
& Published Documentation
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Alternatively, you can email us on edgbastonreservoirco@gmail.com
February 2023
ERCO Pop-Up on the Reservoir
The ERCO pop-up on Saturday 11th February was a great way to connect with reservoir users as always, and continue to share information about the reservoir and discuss its future.
ERCO also had the pleasure of being filmed by Max, who's been really keen to learn more about ERCO. Keep an eye out for the finishing film!
February 2023
Reservoir Conversations (1)
ERCO's first of many 'Reservoir Conversations' event. This event was held to bring those in the local community together to talk about the future of the Reservoir, whilst meeting likeminded others.
We discussed different ideas for Edgbaston Reservoir to remain a green space. Such as, more outdoor exercise clubs, nature school for local schools and more activities around the reservoir's wildlife.
January 2023
Tree Planting Event
The National Trust successfully shared their Blossom Tree project with visitors at the ERCO/Artscoop ‘Cultures in Common’ event held around Edgbaston Reservoir in Summer 2022.
Following an expression of interest, we are part of the National Trust plan to have a ring of fruit trees blossoming around Birmingham in Spring 2023. National Trust has secured the agreement of BCC Parks so we will be planting 4 x pear and 4 x plum trees * on the Reservoir.
October 2022 - January 2023
Work on the demolition of the Tower Ballroom site began on 31st October 2022.
From the 3rd of January, the Reservoir circuit was closed meaning Reservoir users could not complete the circuit for weeks. An alternative path was not accessible or present during this time.
October 2022
Birmingham Stories: Our Green Spaces
Some of the ERCO team caught up with BMAG to talk about the Reservoir, how it’s a space for everyone and the importance of green spaces for mental health and wellbeing.
October 2022
Birmingham Live shares an article on the development plans for Edgbaston Reservoir
Read the full article here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/huge-edgbaston-reservoir-plans-approved-25241893
July 2022
Cultures In Common
Sunday 17th July on the Reservoir Field (with the Big Red Shed),
12-4pm. Arts Procession starts at 2pm.
All ages and backgrounds are welcome.
We hope to see you there for what promises to be a wonderful family-friendly event to celebrate the reservoir.
See flyer and Word doc for more details.
ERCO's alternative, rewilding plan for the Tower Ballroom site gained popular appeal with reservoir users when showcased as part of pop-ups in April 2022; seen as much more appropriate than housing near the waterfront and would do much to expand and enhance the Reservoir site as a Local Nature Reserve.
See the architectural drawing courtesy of Ann Levitt here:
Rewilding of Tower Ballroom footprint plan by Ann Levitt-rotated.pdfMay-June 2022
ERCO continues planning an exciting arts trail event around Reservoir, taking place on Sunday 17th July.
At the start of June, Birmingham City Council planning department told us they are still reading and considering all the responses they received to their latest Reservoir Masterplan. As of 23rd June, we've heard nothing further, so we can only assume that they are still considering them. Before the closing date of the consultation, ERCO collected and sent in over 200 responses (and know that many others were sent in by individuals we spoke to using the methods we suggested), of which the vast majority were in strong opposition to housing on the waterfront.
Through a freedom of information request, ERCO finds out that demolition of the Tower Ballroom is now scheduled to start in September 2022, though it's worth noting that all previous dates suggested by the council have been delayed.
Planning application is made for demolition of the Tower Mount site (just outside the reservoir site on Reservoir Rd) which has been earmarked for demolition as part of the council's Greater Icknield development plan for several years. Planning application number is 2022/04785/PA for those who wish to give their views. You can give your comments here: Birmingham City Council Planning Portal
April 2022
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL'S CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR THEIR RESERVOIR PLAN ENDS FRIDAY 15TH APRIL
We have been told that the only way the council may alter its plans is if lots of people submit feedback, so please let them know what you think by contacting the planners using this email address (and copy in your MP and local councillors if you can): planningandregenerationenquiries@birmingham.gov.uk
We have also drafted a template response for you to use if you wish- just copy, paste and edit it from the Google Doc here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oAVorcBXRL-zPehOcQ7YcgCq2EW4tIhujBsjOsnS66A/edit?usp=sharing
ERCO template response to April 2022 Masterplan consultation
ERCO continues to host regular pop-ups on the reservoir to inform the public about the council's plans. Vast majority of reservoir users clearly oppose housing on the footprint of the Tower Ballroom.
Responses analysed from our public meeting on 16th March: 30 people attended (not including ERCO directors).
24 gave postcodes:
B16 - 17
B15 - 1
B17- 3
B20-1
B31-1
B68-1 (This demonstrates once again that Edgbaston Reservoir is a resource for people all over Birmingham and outside of Birmingham, e.g. Sandwell).
Feedback responses - 14
Particular reference to -
9 - Against housing on the Reservoir / TB site
4- against the density of housing
1- no comment as hasn’t had time to read the plan
10- mentioned, often very strongly, concerns that the nature / LNR would be badly impacted from development. Very passionate responses. Want to protect nature and can’t understand why a housing development is being proposed.
6- referred to community input, listening to the community, the res is a community resource
5- specifically mentioned building further back.
This information, along with the regular conversations being had with hundreds of reservoir users around the reservoir, confirms that many people within the council and our local representatives are wrong to think that most people want housing on the site.
March 2022
ERCO hosts regular reservoir pop-ups and a public meeting on 16th March to inform the wider public about the council's newest Masterplan for Edgbaston Reservoir and encourage discussion.
The overwhelming sense from attendees is that homes close to the waterfront (as suggested by the council's Masterplan) pose a significant change as a public space will become a private space.
Attendees repeatedly said that homes near the waterfront will negatively impact the biodiversity and natural environment of the reservoir as a Local Nature Reserve.
Here is a link to the council's Be Heard portal which includes full details of their latest plans: https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/people-1/revised-edgbaston-reservoir-masterplan/
22nd Feb 2022
We requested several times that our petition be heard by all at Birmingham City Council, having gained well over 1000 signatures, and Councillor Carl Rice finally reads it (well, an edited version!) at full council meeting.
(it can be seen here by skipping to 22mins and 20 seconds in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct__E1v4jkU)
9th Jan 2022
Petition delivered to councillors Sharon Thompson and Carl Rice, having reached a total of more than 900 hand-written and online signatures.
Councillors promised to announce the petition to the full council meeting on Tuesday 11th January and to keep us informed of any updates/outcomes.
6th Jan 2022
ERCO hosts torch-lit vigil on the eve of the council commencing demolition of the Tower Ballroom.
Despite the freezing conditions and pouring rain, over 50 local people attended a vigil held on Thursday 6th January at 4.30 pm at dusk. Several local people performed, and our music, poetry and chants of 'Tower to the People' appropriately marked the (potential) end of the Tower Ballroom, which has contributed so much to Birmingham's cultural fabric for nearly 200 years. Crews from the BBC, Birmingham Mail and Break Tru TV turned up for the event, publishing the following media:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-59898419
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/vigil-held-historic-tower-ballroom-22672954
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvFBet-jsAM&t=446s
Dec 2021
ERCO launches petition following public calls for one in response to the council's lack of proper engagement with the public over the demolition of the Tower Ballroom and other developments around the reservoir.
Dec 2021
ERCO hosts public meeting to share information with the public about Edgbaston Reservoir to date (6.30pm Thursday 2nd December).
Numerous people turn out and are overwhelmingly shocked to find out the council's plans to demolish the Tower Ballroom without having decided with public involvement what will replace it.
This is a live recording of the presentation section of the meeting, and access to the PowerPoint slides is available in the description of the YouTube video.
Nov 2021
Birmingham City Council retracts their previous demolition notice for the Tower Ballroom and issue a new one.
ERCO publishes this public response to the demolition.
Feel free to copy and paste and use as part of your own response to the planning application via the council's planning portal here: https://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/PLComments.aspx?pk=1169530
Small notices placed by Birmingham City Council, nearby the site at the reservoir. The notices only request public responses to the planning application via letter. (i.e. no email address, no QR code directing people to their planning portal or any other modern format).
When we emailed asking if comments on the previous demolition notice would be taken into account, BCC effectively say 'no- the public should respond again' despite these two applications being in quick succession and practically identical in nature. ERCO publishes this suggested public response to the demolition.
NB: ERCO is not against housing entirely on the former Tower Ballroom site, and could support appropriate housing on the former carpark alongside Osler Street; but is strongly against any housing along the reservoir water's edge.
Oct 2021
Did you know? ERCO, public information sharing about Edgbaston Reservoir to date.
Numerous 'sharing' pop-up sessions on the Reservoir completed September and October 2021 to speak to the public about these issues. Almost 100% of reservoir users spoken to were entirely oblivious to council plans but wanted to be kept informed and felt they should be part of the decision-making.
July 2021
ERCO example response to Birmingham City Council's proposed demolition of the Tower Ballroom building. docs.google.com/document/d/1tg7Pr4oCBbWfC-yhzQ_BampkUPHgyaKdPe0ZKSt91Lk/edit?usp=sharing
July 2019
Alternative, Community-led Master Plan for Edgbaston Reservoir, created in response to Birmingham City Council's own, inadequate master plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Ydv5SNVwGZ6WR9blt8ucB6K2Y3RFrLx/view
Edgbaston Reservoir Community Led Vision.pdfFind and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by clicking these links: