Summary

  • Updates from Monday 9 August to Sunday 15 August

  1. Power station homes plan under discussion againpublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Rejected plans for 1,000 houses to be built on the site of the former Ironbridge Power Station are to go back before the council.

    Shropshire Council turned down plans for the 350-acre site at Buildwas over concerns about traffic, a lack of healthcare in the area and the number of affordable homes.

    But a refusal notice was not issued, with legal advice sought by developer Harworth Group over how the decision was arrived at.

    The old Ironbridge power station, before it was demolishedImage source, Shropshire Council

    During the process, Harworth submitted an amended proposal, which has led planners to bring the application back before the committee.

    The amendments seek to address the reasons for refusal, the council says.

    The application is set to be debated at a dedicated meeting on 20 September.

  2. Father who died after assault 'had heart of gold'published at 17:41 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    The victim is named as 50-year-old Matthew Carroll, known as Matty.

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  3. Building materials shortages 'causing months of delay'published at 17:23 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    BBC Midlands Today

    A Wolverhampton builder says some people are having to wait months for work to be carried out because of a shortage of building supplies.

    Mick Daffern

    Mick Daffern said he was seeing a high demand from prospective clients, but the problem was causing projects to be delayed.

    "Some clients - rather than having a job starting in a couple of weeks' time might have to wait up to six months before we can get the materials for that job," he told BBC Midlands Today.

    The Construction Leadership Council has warned cement, some electrical components, timber, steel and paints were in short supply. It blamed "unprecedented levels of demand" which it said was set to continue.

    Mr Daffern, who said he was getting "20 or 30 phone calls a day" about work believed a lot of materials were being used in large housing developments.

  4. Woman admits charge over Stoke-on-Trent deathpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Sheila Pickerill pleads guilty to grievous bodily harm in connection with the death of Nicola Bray.

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  5. Stoke sign Duhaney and loan man Simapublished at 16:54 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Stoke City sign Brighton striker Abdallah Sima on loan and free-agent right-back Demeaco Duhaney on a deal until January.

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  6. Eleven serious e-scooter injuries since trial roll-outpublished at 16:41 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Eleven people have suffered serious injuries related to e-scooter use in almost a year, according to a council report.

    A trial of the small vehicles is under way in Birmingham and the city council's cabinet is next week set to consider whether to extend it to the end of March.

    An e-scooterImage source, EPA

    A report for the authority said there had been 550,000 e-scooter rides in the city from the start of the trial last September to the end of July.

    Among the 11 serious injuries, the worst was a broken and dislocated shoulder. There have been 107 minor injuries.

    The report added only one serious injury involved anyone other than the rider.

    The only e-scooters that can be used on public roads are those rented as part of government-backed trials.

  7. Dozens of post offices still closed after lockdownpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    The closure of Neston's post office leaves residents with nowhere to handle banking transactions.

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  8. Former interpreter fears for Afghan dad's safetypublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Now based in Coventry after assisting Army forces, he says his father is at risk amid Taliban control.

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  9. Views sought on future road investmentpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Road users in the West Midlands are being asked for their input on how the network can be improved.

    Gravelly Hill Interchange, or Spaghetti Junction,  on the M6 in Birmingham.Image source, National Highways

    National Highways (formerly Highways England) says its new online tool , externalwill be open for feedback until 30 November to help inform decisions on future road investment.

    The group said as well as capturing public feedback, it would be consulting local government, transport authorities and other interested parties.

    Elliot Shaw, executive director for strategy and planning, said: "This is your opportunity to help inform the long-term vision for the future of our roads."

  10. Shooting and crash linked as 'targeted attack'published at 12:29 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    One man is shot in the chest while a second is hurt falling from his motorbike in Coventry.

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  11. Doctor fears for family's future in Afghanistanpublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Dr Waheed, who lives Chester, says his father and seven sisters are still living in Kabul.

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  12. Electricity 'should be back for most' after power cuts near Shrewsburypublished at 09:47 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    BBC Radio Shropshire

    Western Power Distribution says electricity should be back by now to most of the hundreds of homes affected by power cuts near Shrewsbury on Tuesday morning.

    Electricity pylon - generic imageImage source, Getty Images

    More than 700 homes were initially left without power in the SY5 and SY3 postcodes.

    There are still nearly 30 homes in Shrewsbury which should be reconnected by 11:00 BST.

  13. Deeney signs for Blues after 11-year spell at Watfordpublished at 09:21 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    Birmingham City have signed striker Troy Deeney on a two-year deal after he left Watford.

    Troy DeeneyImage source, Getty Images

    Deeney was out of contract next summer, but his departure was announced prior to his move to Blues. He scored 140 goals in 419 games for the Hornets, after joining from Walsall in August 2010.

    Speaking to Blues' club channels following his signing, Deeney said: "Everyone knows that this is my team, I've made that clear in the past but if I was going to join Blues it had to be right for all parties.

    "I believe in the existing project here and, having spoken to the Gaffer [Lee Bowyer] and Craig [Gardner], can clearly visualise my role in the squad."

    Quote Message

    Blues boss Lee Bowyer pointed out in the club's media release that the striker has taken a sizeable pay cut to make the move. He also paid tribute to sporting director Craig Gardner for acting decisively when it became apparent that Deeney was available... His arrival at Blues has always seemed a long shot, despite his life-long support of the club, but at 33 years of age the chance to take on a new challenge and to play for his team at St Andrew's was arguably too much to turn down

    Richard Wilford, BBC Radio WM Blues reporter

  14. Today's West Midlands weather forecastpublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    It will be another largely cloudy day today. In the afternoon cloud may break up in a few places to give the odd sunny spell, but it should remain cloudy for most and will stay mostly dry too.

    Highs of 14C to 17C (57F to 63F).

    This evening cloud will continue to break up to give a few further sunny spells.

    Tonight thicker cloud will build back in and it will become mostly overcast with the odd spell of drizzle around. Low of 11C to 14C (52F to 57F).

  15. Woman dies in three-vehicle crash in Herefordshirepublished at 08:33 British Summer Time 31 August 2021

    A woman has died after three vehicles crashed in Herefordshire, police said, external.

    Officers were called to the A44 Worcester Road near Bromyard on Sunday at 12:20 BST after a silver Skoda Octavia estate, a blue Audi Q5 and a white Volvo Traffic Artic lorry had collided.

    The driver of the Audi, a 44 year-old woman from Leominster, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

    Her next of kin have been informed, West Mercia Police said, adding no-one else involved in the collision had been injured.

    The road was closed for several hours while investigation and recovery work took place.

    Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to come forward.

  16. Deeney exits Watford to join Birminghampublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 30 August 2021

    Watford striker Troy Deeney leaves after 11 seasons at Vicarage Road to join boyhood club Birmingham City on a two-year deal.

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  17. Championship round-up: Essex return in formpublished at 19:55 British Summer Time 30 August 2021

    Reigning county champions Essex return to Championship duty on top form as they bowl out Glamorgan in Cardiff.

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  18. Benjamin & Hain help Bears dominate Lancspublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 30 August 2021

    Chris Benjamin makes his maiden century and Sam Hain also hits a ton as Warwickshire reach 259-3 against Lancashire.

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