Bournville Live: Following Public Consultation
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Thank you to everyone who took part in the Bournville Live consortium’s public consultation about the proposed performance space on Bournville Green for outdoor cultural events and activities.
The consultation ran from 15th February 2025 to the end of March. It could be completed using a survey paper or online, with opportunities to visit displays of the early proposals. Residents of Sycamore and Maple Roads also had a meeting where they could share their views given the proximity of their homes to the Green and the performance space.
We were pleased that a large proportion of the responses welcomed the introduction of the performance space and the idea of a carefully managed and supervised series of activities. The summary of the feedback is published here and includes all questions raised alongside the partners’ responses. We will continue to work with stakeholders, including residents as we move into the delivery of the Bournville Live proposal, considering all points raised through the consultation.
We hope you find the consultation results of interest and that you will share our enthusiasm looking forward to new events and activities on Bournville Green at the heart of Bournville life.
We will now look at ways of further engaging local stakeholders, local residents and the wider Bournville community to help with the creative development of Bournville Live.
John Dolan
Chair of Trustees, The Hub on the Green
On behalf of the Bournville Live Partners: The Hub on the Green, Bournville Village Trust, Bournville Parish Church and Selly Manor Museum
FAQ – Bournville Live
1. Why was The Green chosen for the development?
The Green is already well-established as the venue for popular events, such as Carols on the Green. Creating a permanent, low-level performance space in one corner will cater for existing and future community events, as well as keeping event costs affordable.
2. What are the principles for the design and why did you choose to use students to assist in the design?
Working with University of Birmingham students - both undergraduate and post-graduate - means we benefit from their technical advice and experience while they gain valuable real-world experience. All students who applied have a local interest in Bournville and a commitment to ensure there is no negative impact on The Green. Their work has been closely overseen by the group including BVT’s Senior Estates and Planning Officer to ensure adherence to local conservation guidelines alongside BVT's own Design Guide.
3. How did you decide on the size of the performance space
Refer to scale drawing on leaflet. The topography of the area and root protection zones of the trees were the key limits on how large the performance space can be. Through the design process we've sought to maximise the usability of the space, while minimising the impact on the setting.
4. What impact will the development have on trees and flowers, and has there been consideration on protection of trees
Protecting the tree root systems has been an integral part of every stage of the design process. Root protection zones have been mapped, creating an ‘exclusion zone’ in which no construction is permitted. This determines the scale and location of the performance space. In line with best practice, no more than 30% of each tree’s root protection zone can be built on.
The proposed work closest to the trees require very minimal excavation, so there should be little impact on the trees.
Bulbs will be replanted elsewhere on the Green.
5. What considerations are there for ongoing maintenance of the performance space?
Using durable materials that are easy to maintain without additional costs is a key element of the design. By working closely with the Grounds Maintenance Manager we’ve altered elements of the plans to ensure only low maintenance is needed. The day-to-day upkeep will be managed by BVT’s Grounds Maintenance
6. We are worried an amphitheatre or stage seems a much larger project and requires more space. Can this be clarified?
The proposal is to re-landscape a current area of green space to make it more useable and accessible. It is a stage in the sense that it becomes an area where performance and events can take place but is not a large, dominant staged area like a physical arena and won’t be the scale of an amphitheatre. (See attached image)
7. Electrics on the Green - What is proposed and how will this be managed?
The electrical points on The Green are already in place and currently facilitate events such as the Carols on the Green and the Bournville Christmas Festival. Integrating these into the performance space would improve access for any necessary amplification. The electrical points will be secured and only accessible with permission.
8. What types of events will there be and how do you manage who wants to host or use the space for an event?
It is envisaged there will be 5-6 Community Events per year plus opportunities for small scale gatherings such as: poetry readings, jazz, school choirs, a Capella choirs, drama and dance performances.
Anyone individual or group wishing to use one of BVT’s open spaces, including The Green, must submit an application form to BVT’s Estates and Stewardship Team. A new process and policy principles for the use of the space will be developed as part of this project.
9. Number of events and size - how many events are expected to take place and what capacity will these be?
There are no plans to hold frequent amplified music events. Bournville Live anticipate around half a dozen community events per year requiring amplification, including the existing Carols on the Green, the Christmas Festival, Lunar New Year, Pride, and potentially one or two others. Any use of amplification will be carefully managed to respect the character of Bournville and the interests of local residents.
10. What is in place to manage parking during events?
Alongside all events, Bournville Live would expect parking management to be part of an organiser’s planning for the event. Many existing events already use volunteers and traffic management, and the same approach would be taken.
11. What is in place to manage litter during and after events?
Litter picking is a very important part of the event organiser’s management plan. Volunteers already support litter management for large events and the same approach will be taken with all community events.
12. Licences - who will manage licence required for community events?
BVT holds a Licence that permits them to host events on The Green.
For other events, it is the organisers’ responsibility to ensure they check the requirements, apply for and hold the correct licence for their events. This will always be checked by BVT as part of any application to use The Green. See also question 8.
13. How will this development support sustainability of events, such as Carols on The Green?
Carols on The Green has a long history in Bournville and is a well-attended event. It currently costs around £5,000 to set up and host this, with a significant amount paid for by BVT. Creating a performance space will reduce the need to hire the equipment, reducing the costs significantly. By investigating in the space and making it more accessible for events also supports the development of other activities now and in the future.
14. Is there a financial gain to Bournville Live?
Bournville Live partners are all not for profit organisations and will not have any financial gain from the development.
15. How has Bournville Live included stakeholders and how can residents and partners get involved?
The term "stakeholders" in early discussions referred to organisations involved in planning existing large community events. Residents are, of course, key stakeholders in a broader sense, and this consultation process is designed to ensure their voices are heard and considered. This includes residents and shop owners immediately or adjacent to the Green). Latterly, through the consultation process, discussions have opened up with residents living within the immediate vicinity.
Bournville Live partner organisations are all actively involved in planning events on The Green and have worked together to secure funding and initiate the project.
16. What is the timeline for the Bournville Live performance space?
Consultation continued through April prior to final approvals and agreement being confirmed, with work on site hoping to start in May 2025. While the Bournville Live performance space may be used at some point through the summer, it is envisaged the full use of this new performance space will be from Autumn 2025.
