Square heart for Kings Heath

Visitors to the farmers market in Kings Heath on Saturday 5th September, running alongside the Gardeners Weekend at Kings Heath Park, have been given the chance to put their name to a paving slab as moves continue to gain funding and continue development on the All Saints public square. The square forms part of the £6.3 million All Saints Project which includes a new community centre, restaurant and day centre for the elderly at All Saints Church. All Saints Community Development Company (a charitable company limited by guarantee) has been established to develop and operate the Centre.

Phase one of the scheme, a new medical centre featuring a GP practice, pharmacy, podiatry, a minor surgery suite and community nurses, has already opened.
Phase two aims to see the addition of meeting rooms for hire, a youth centre, the day centre for the elderly, cafe and an indoor community area. The tree-lined village square spreading from the church to the High Street containing public benches is to be the final stage. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2008/09/30/council-backing-for-kings-heath-village-square-project-65233-21930606/

The paving slabs are part of fundraising moves to support the creation of the new public square and visitors to the farmers market were able to see a new design for the square fronting All Saints Church.

Work on the All Saints project stopped in early 2008 due to a lack of cash but in September 2008 The Birmingham Post reported on the city council earmarking "£200,000 for the next phase of the project which will fund construction of an access road, with a further £200,000 pledged towards creating the village square", Council backing for Kings Heath village square project.

The plans for the square surrounding All Saints Church have received backing from constituency MP Steve McCabe who sees it as part of his views for enhancing the potential of Kings Heath and providing it with a short term and longer term vision.

I approve of the plans for the market square and village atmosphere that they are trying to create outside All Saints and feel that this kind of approach is worth encouraging. I think the future is for a 'specialised' village, which deals with Hi Tech, new products, good food, family entertainment and the kind of essentials you don't want to go to Touchwood or the Bull Ring for. http://www.stevemccabe-mp.org.uk/vision-for-kings-heath

More details on the All Saints Community Development Project can be found at their website http://www.allsaintscentrekh.co.uk/