Andrew Mitchell MP has intervened in a local planning application on behalf of his constituents. 231 objections have been raised against the proposal to erect 5 houses at the rear of 16 Bennett Road in Four Oaks. Andrew Mitchell MP said, “I have intervened in this planning application because it is of more than local significance. “The issue of ‘garden grabbing’ has caused enormous concern and anxiety in Sutton Coldfield ever since the unwise decisions of John Prescott over a decade ago saw people’s gardens and backlands defined as appropriate for development proposals. “Bennett Road has wider significance in light of the Coalition Government’s new planning legislation and I continue to vigorously pursue this case which so many constituents have raised with me. “I have had detailed discussions with both Birmingham City Council’s Chief Executive and Planning Department about the issues relating to Bennett Road and I have now raised the matter directly with the Secretary of State for Communities Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP. “Councillors in Sutton Coldfield have also been extremely concerned about this application.”