MP CALLS FOR PROTEST RALLY AS SOLIHULL COUNCIL SET TO RATIFY PARKLAND SELL-OFF FOR HEART OF SHIRLEY DEVELOPMENT

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 4th Sep 2006

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has called a protest rally in a last ditch attempt to save acres of parkland at Shirley being sold off by Conservative controlled Solihull Council as part of the Heart of Shirley development.

'The Secretary of State has refused to listen to submissions made by hundred of residents and local groups. Now acres of parkland will be concreted over; there will be traffic chaos and the economic lifeblood will be sucked out of the local independent retailing community," said Lorely Burt.

She is urging residents who want to make their feelings known to join her and other Shirley Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners at a protest later this month.

"Make your feelings known to the Tory-run Council for selling off our parkland for development. Come along to the Cabinet meeting on 21st September and let the council's ruling Cabinet members know what you think of their intention to ratify the decision to sell off almost three acres of parkland, with a further three acres being used for temporary car parks and access for builders," said Lorely Burt.

The Solihull MP, local campaigners and residents are assembling at 5.20pm outside the Civic Suite in Solihull and will then go into the meeting which starts at 6pm.