Sutton Coldfield

	Sutton Coldfield has changed more in the past two or three years than in all the time since I arrived here in the early 90s. Development is filling in almost every spare space, between homes, removing homes to build on and people selling small patches of land for apartments. Good Hope Hospital is not immune to the greed of people. They have closed down a busy and well used Social Club to make way for an extra car park. It now awaits the bulldozer!
	This is of what was a busy Child's Day Nursery, now lost forever to the developer (Churchill) to build "Retirement Apartments". A trend reflected everywhere in Sutton Coldfield for people who can afford ridiculous figures for apartments thrown up in a matter of weeks! If these are examples of Labour's "affordable housing" then someone, somewhere, is ripping us off big style. Now Sept and the apartments are in full swing, breeze block dominates the site, cheapo cost, maximum price. These developers are making billions and no regard to the ecology.
	Here, in this image below, is another example of how these "Luxury" apartment's are springing up everywhere. In this case a complete row of Victorian houses were torn down in Hollyfield Road to make way for this. It is very obvious to see who is to blame for all this, Birmingham Council, in their quest for more and more revenue, from the good people of Sutton Coldfield. But, nobody can afford them except for the fly boy, whizz kids, both working, BMW driving family of 2! My daughter wants an apartment nearby to where we live but cannot afford their asking prices and she has a VERY good job. My youngest daughter will never be able to afford such accommodation and she is a Vet Nurse!
	This is Hollyfield Road. A nice road, busy during the rush hour and at school times but nice - on the surface. Between those houses, where once stood large, spacious back gardens now there are, in some cases, little turnings between homes, where developers have squeezed a driveway in between the houses to make access for the town homes built on someone's back garden! Greed!
	Looking over Rectory Park tree's towards Town Centre. I wonder how long it will be before the council decide to do away with the park on the dubious grounds of needed for car parks for hospital, or lack of use by the community? Having a whinge? Yes, of course I am, I am watching what was a lovely area vanishing rapidly under the JCB.
	Inside Rectory Park, on the higher football pitches. Looking north towards Rectory Road
	Sunday morning in April. Opposite the Police & Fire stations. Is that someone nicking the lead???
	From the same spot, outside Fire Station. Sutton Coldfield College is down on the left, opposite the Police Station. Most of the students migrate in from Birmingham.
	Looking in the opposite direction, from opposite the "Community" Fire Service, looking towards Mere Green. The once large hotel, top of the road, right of the image, is now - yes, you've guessed it - "luxury apartments"!!!
	From Left to Right, Police Station and the Magistrates Court
	Tamworth Road, looking east

August 2007. An ex Sutton Coldfield resident asked me for images of the Upper Holland Road, Manor Road & Clifton Road areas. Here they are, starting with Upper Holland Road, then Manor Road, then Clifton Road.

1. Upper Holland Road looking towards Trinity Church & Town Centre from Ebrook Road
2. Looking towards Plantsbrook School (left) from Ebrook Road
3. Plantsbrook School looking towards Queens Road and Adams Ironmongers
4. Adams Ironmongers on right and school to rear
5. Looking back from Adams towards Plantbrook from corner of Queens Road
6. Looking from Adams towards, round the top bend, what was Odeon Cinema, now Empire.

1. Gracechurch from Manor Road
2. Looking up Manor Road from Brassington Ave
3. Manor Road and railway bridge
4. Looking back to railway bridge from opposite site to image 3
Looking up Manor Road towards Clifton Road

1. Clifton Road looking towards Sutton Park Town Gate & Park Road
2. Zoom shot from same location
3. Clifton Road looking towards Wyndley Leisure Centre
4. Looking back from other end of image 3
5. Looking towards Monmouth Drive
6. Same direction from opposite side
7. Monmouth Drive is behind image, looking back towards Wyndley Leisure Centre
8. Monmouth Road lights at end of road