CityPark4Brum

2026

• With a new political administration in place at Birmingham City Council and many planning decisions still to be agreed, CityPark4brum begins to reengage with the council over Smithfield

• Smithfield is used once again as a venue for Birmingham Pride, showing the benefit of having open space in the city centre for large events and festivals

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2025

• Manchester city council announces that its Mayfield development in the city centre will now expand its park area to 10 acres out of a possible 24 (40%). In contrast to Smithfield, green space at Mayfield been prioritised and is a centrepiece for this former industrial site

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2024

• Outline planning permission for Smithfield granted by Birmingham City Council

• June - the CityPark4Brum campaign gets national attention with an article in the Guardian newspaper

• May - CityPark4Brum succeeds in obtaining a deferral after a speech made at the council planning committee.

• April - CityPark4Brum submits a new objection to the latest Lendlease planning application. This comes after Lendlease's 2022/23 planning application was withdrawn due to an objection from Historic England

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2023

• April - CityPark4Brum updates its supporters

• March - CityPark4Brum submits objection to planning application

• Jan - Lendlease submits planning application

 

2022

• Smithfield used as a venue for the Commonwealth Games, showing the benefit of having open space in the city centre for large events and festivals

• CityPark4Brum responds to Lendlease Smithfield plan

• Consultation on Lendlease plans launched, which includes a small park

• Birmingham City of Nature plan revealed

 

2021

• Joint venture contract announced between Birmingham City Council and Lendlease for £1.9bn scheme

 

2019

• Nov - The Greener Birmingham survey reveals two thirds of people support the building of a new park in the city centre

• June - Councillors call for Smithfield rethink after welcoming park plan

• Feb - Council decides that a committee should consider park case further

• Jan - Council Leader Ian Ward announces Lendlease as developer & welcomes opportunity to work with CityPark4Brum

• Jan - Petition submitted to council with 10,000 supporters

 

2018

• 10,000 supporters! - Birmingham Mail article

• Spatial Affairs Bureau release Birmingham Markets Park counter proposal to the Smithfield Masterplan

• CityPark4Brum interviewed on BBC WM Breakfast show (12th September)

• Birmingham Post article: The city needs a Green Heart