MP OUTRAGE AS HEART OF SHIRLEY CALL-IN REFUSED BY SECRETARY OF STATE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 31st Aug 2006

Solihull MP, Lorely Burt has expressed outrage at the news that Secretary of State Ruth Kelly has refused her request to call in the decision to approve the Heart of Shirley planning application.

Mrs Burt said "I am outraged that the Secretary of State has chosen to ignore the majority of Shirley people who are opposed this scheme."

She also criticised the 'unseemly haste' with which the decision was made. 'There were many justifications for calling in this decision: the threat to the livelihoods of local independent businesses and huge traffic issues which have still not been satisfactorily resolved.

"But above all, acres of parkland and open spaces, including a historic oak circle, will be lost. How can this huge environmental impact be permitted without a proper public enquiry?" she added.

The Secretary of State maintained that her intervention "would not be justified".

Mrs Burt is currently taking legal advice regarding any further actions objectors can take.