Minutes from the open meeting of Digbeth Residents Association

(DRA) and Neighbourhood Watch on Tuesday 15 November 2016 at

6pm in The Old Crown restaurant.
1. Roll Call and Apologies
Present: Pem Yallouri, Mus Yallouri, Jayne Bradley, Tomas Grunt, Damien Siviter, Bob Ghosh, Adam
Hussain, Jonathan Lord, Rachel Johnson, Gerald Sweeney, Martin Ball, Philip Twiss, Billy Chauhan, Lyle
Bignon, Rob Holland, Bill Heath, Pamela Pinski, John Gordon.
Apologies: Joe Holyoak, Sharon Wright.
2. Approval of Minutes
a. The minutes from the October 2016 meeting were approved.
3. Matters Arising
a. Planning Applications
Connaught Square will be discussed later, but to note that the plans for Westminster Works (opposite the
Paragon) seem to have been revived and reported in the press. Updates to follow soon.
b. Havana Shisha Lounge
Birmingham City Council has instigated an enforcement notice to Havana (which continues to operate
without planning permission), but the matter could still be open for another five months. DRA feel let
down by the Council, but well keep you up to date with developments.
4. Connaught Square Presentation
Damien Siviter of Seven Capital, and Bob Ghosh of K4 Architects, presented the plans for Connaught
Square. This is a huge landmark project representing a 130m investment. The plans are for 940
apartments spread over five buildings, with roughly 47% of each one and two bed apartments (no
studios), and 5% being three bedroom. There will be 264 parking spaces, with a bicycle space for every
flat, and a community gym subsidised by the service charge (which we are assured will be affordable).
Seven Capital has a commitment to community. This means that 90% of contractors and materials for
Connaught Square will be sourced from within Birmingham. In addition, the development will have
courtyard gardens and green roofs, along with two storey indoor winter gardens to encourage
opportunities for residents to meet. To support a community, Seven Capital agreed to offer CS flats to
members of the local community to buy on a first-refusal basis via DRA, for three working days before
opening up to general sales.
5. Police Report and Neighbourhood Watch News
Car crime is increasing with criminals continuing to target sat navs and number plates. From 28
November, Police borders will be altered and Digbeth will fall under the jurisdiction of the City Centre
Policing Team, which works a 24/7 shift pattern.
6. Any other business
a. Digbeth Community Awards
Nominations for the Digbeth Community Awards to be given in December were shared. Jayne Bradley
made a great suggestion to introduce Food Awards in 2017.
7. Date and Time of Next Meetings
The next committee meeting will be held on Monday 9th January 2017 at 6pm in the Old Crown
restaurant, High Street Digbeth.
The next open meeting will be held on Tuesday 13th December 2016 at 6pm in the Old Crown restaurant,
High Street Digbeth. This meeting includes our end of year celebration and the Digbeth Community
Awards.