In a candid response to questions from the Birmingham Times, Alum Rock ward Councillor Mariam Khan addressed growing concerns over a proposed food trailer park in her constituency, accusing the petition’s delivery of being deliberately politicized to portray local councillors as inactive.
“It was done in a way which was politicized and actually used as a bit of a political tool so that the public think that your councillors aren’t doing anything,” Khan stated during the Media talk”.
The controversy stems from a recent petition delivered on behalf of Alum Rock residents, demanding answers about the food trailer park—referred to by Khan as a potential “food court”—allegedly being pushed forward without proper consultation. Khan emphasized her active involvement in the matter, noting that she has been engaged in detailed conversations with local residents and is scheduled to meet with them again to address their concerns. “I’m absolutely involved in this petition that has been, uh, the the, the issue that has been raised around the potential food court,” she said.
Khan explained that the petition was not formally delivered to the council in time for proper consideration. She revealed that she was contacted by the receptionist at the council house, who informed her that someone dropped off the petition at 1:57 PM—after she was already in the chamber for a meeting set to start just three minutes later. By the time she received a message about it, the meeting was underway, including tributes to a former colleague who had passed away. “I wasn’t aware that the petition was there until it was too late and that section was done,” Khan said. “That doesn’t mean that the voices of the residents aren’t heard. If I had received that in advance of the meeting, I absolutely would have submitted that during the council meeting.”
She further clarified that those who submitted the petition were aware of the proper process, having been advised by council officers to submit it through elected members for formal presentation. Despite the timing issues, Khan affirmed her commitment to residents, stating, “At the end of the day, in terms of my personal, sort of view on that food court, I absolutely stand with the local residents and I understand their concerns.”
From a planning perspective, Khan stressed that no valid application has been submitted for the project. “There is no valid planning application that has been submitted to the council. You can only object to a case once the planning application has been submitted,” she explained, likening it to how a police officer cannot arrest someone until a crime is committed. She noted that the land in question was sold with conditions for employment and regeneration, not retail use, and that the food court cannot open under current planning rules.
“The food court won’t be able to be opened with the current planning. There is no valid planning application in train,” Khan added, urging patience as enforcement or objections cannot proceed without an application.
Khan also highlighted her ongoing work with council officers, including those involved in the land sale and the planning department, to establish facts amid rumors and advertising about the development. “I’ve been working with council officers, um, including those who were involved when the sale of land took place, as well as council officers around the planning department and planning and regeneration in just understanding and establishing the facts,” she said.
Councillor Khan’s statement come amid recent community actions, including the petition delivery highlighted in local social media. Residents are encouraged to contact their elected members with concerns to ensure they are addressed through official channels.