In June 2026, we were made aware of a petition regarding parking concerns alongside the use of the former Methodist Church in Cob Lane, Bournville, now leased to the South Birmingham Muslim Community Association – SBMCA.

Our response to this petition:

Parking

• We recognise parking is a challenge across the Bournville estate, and the wider City. There are currently no parking restrictions in force across the majority of the Bournville Estate.
• Bournville Village Trust (BVT) does not hold any power to enforce parking-related issues but will work with Birmingham City Council and the Police, who have the legal powers to take enforcement action where needed and where parking restrictions are in force.
• As of today, no enforcement action has been taken by either authority concerning parking in the area in and around Cob Lane, or in relation to the use of the former Methodist Church. If you’re concerned about parking, please raise this with the Police or Council who have the relevant authority to enforce.
• Following a meeting with Al Carns MP, the Police, Bournville Ward Councillors, members of SBMCA, a small number of residents and Bournville Village Trust, the following actions were agreed:
• Police patrols: Sergeant Gareth Sankey offered residents the opportunity to accompany West Midlands Police on patrols of the area on Fridays, when it’s been reported traffic is at its busiest. The Police will liaise with residents to agree practical arrangements. If you wish to attend patrols, contact Sergeant Sankey at Bournville Police Station – www.westmidlands.police.uk/contact
• Residents’ parking scheme: Al Carns MP’s office will raise with Birmingham City Council the possibility of introducing a residents-only parking scheme for the area. This will be pursued with Councillor Brennan and Councillor Green. For queries on this, contact Councillor Brennan or Councillor Green – www.birmingham.gov.uk/councillors/ward
• Alternative parking options: to explore whether a previous arrangement with the Serbian Orthodox Church could be reinstated, enabling SBMCA to hire the church each Friday and make use of around 40 parking spaces.*

Lease of the former Methodist Church and Hall

After being vacant for a number of years, the Hall was publicly advertised as available for lease and SBMCA was selected as the tenant. The building was originally used for faith-based and community activities, and this purpose continues with the current occupier.

Having reviewed the requests contained within the petition, BVT has concluded that it will not be making changes to the current lease terms, including the permitted use of the building or its hours of operation.

We value and support SBMCA’s contribution to Bournville, as we do with other faith groups across the Estate, and have found them to take resident feedback seriously and welcome any opportunity to explore the introduction of parking management measures in the area.

SBMCA have engaged with the local community and invited neighbours to meet them. They remain committed to ensuring the building continues to be a hub for the local community. If you’d like to find out more, please contact SBMCA directly.

*Update: Following a meeting with the Church, they would like to make it clear that there was no formal agreement in place for the use of the Church car park. The Church has advised that, despite being requested by a number of organisations in the local area, that they are not in a position to allow the car-park to be formally or informally used by any other parties not linked to the Church.