Long-running plans to turn a former playing fields in into housing have taken a significant step forward after Redrow submitted a full planning application.
The North Wales-based housebuilder wants to construct 121 houses, the majority of which will be aimed at families, on the former Ravenhurst Playing Fields, between Knightlow Road and Gilhurst Road.
Redrow is seeking permission to build a mix of houses and apartments, ranging from one to four bedrooms, and including 32 social housing units and ten for 'key' workers such as nurses and teachers.
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Proposals for the 11-acre site have been the subject of much community ire as action group Friends of Ravenhurst Playing Fields has been campaigning to preserve it for recreation and local community uses.
The group was formed in 2005 and, while accepting that development is inevitable, remains concerned over protected badgers on the site, the risk of flooding and availability of school places.
The Ravenhurst site is owned by the Oratory, the well-known Catholic church on the Hagley Road in which has previously said it needed to raise funds from the sale of the land to continue its charitable work.
The fields were previously used by students at St Philip's Sixth Form College and Dixonians Rugby Club while national housebuilder Wimpey has also previously been linked with a housing development there.
A planning statement from property consultancy GVA said: "The overall aim of the development is to create a sustainable and distinctive place to live, that will meet a variety of housing needs, including affordable housing, whilst respecting adjacent residential amenity, existing trees and ecological habitats within the site.
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"The proposals will provide an area of public open space which will be available for use by the residents of the new development and by the existing community."
The project echoes a similar Harborne scheme, in nearby Balden Road, where Persimmon Homes on the site of the former Martineau Education Centre and playing fields.
A spokesperson for Redrow Homes (Midlands) said: "Prior to submission of this application we held a public consultation event to outline our vision for the site and to take feedback from local residents.
"Going forward, Birmingham City Council will now contact local residents together with other interested parties to seek their comments on the application and we will continue to engage with all parties."