Myself and Cllr Ken Hawkins are increasingly concerned with the amount of developers considering or about to submit plans to build on the green belt within the Tidbury Green and Dickens Heath boundaries.

There are huge pressures attached to any submission around Sustainability and loss of Green belt . We are continually monitoring all potential plans and will update accordingly.

Please check out our websites for updates

keithgreen.co.uk

cllrkenhawkins.co.uk

Another sizeable proposal within the 330+ submissions in the councils ‘call for sites’ is land we know as Fulford Green. This has been submitted before and was not included in the now withdrawn local plan. Then, proposal looked for 1800+ homes. It seems the developers. Summix, are now looking for 850 homes and press reports have revealed they have submitted proposals to Solihull Council. These have yet to be validated, therefore there is no formal application just yet.

Proposal Details: CFS/24/132 in the ‘call for sites’ can be found via this link: Local Plan Call for Sites 2024 Public

As ward members we have met with Summix on a few occasions and they have updated us as to their aims. They are aware of our concerns for this area, which has seen lots of development in recent years. They have a dedicated website for this site: https://summix.com/projects/land-south-of-norton-lane?p=projects/fulford-green

The councils ‘Call for Sites’ has brought about over 300 submissions and we continue to trawl through them. It is important to note they are just submissions at this stage and the councils planning and development officers will assess each site before submitting a report as to the suitability of any sites moving forward to the submission plan – which will then go through an extensive consultation process.

Proposal Details: CFS/24/332 is Land west of Rumbush Lane, Tidbury Green.

An internet search ahs revealed that Rainier Developments have proposed 110 new homes for this site and further details can be found on their dedicated webpage:  https://rainierdevelopments.co.uk/track-record/tidbury-green/  which adds ‘We are actively promoting a 27-acre parcel of land at Tidbury Green to be released from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development through the Solihull Local Plan Review.’

• DH/TG/CG/Monkspath – Planning and development + issues up and coming
• ICB
• DH – Main Street
• Shelly Farm Community Centre – CIL
• Hillfield LNR – supporting bid for Veolia community funding
• Report It – page on SMBC website

Planning and Development:

We know that proposals for development at Dog Kennel Lane and Tythe Barn Lane are nearing determination at planning committee (we will inform you of the date when known). We have commented on these two sites on several occasions and that they have already been through an intense review by the planning inspectors at the examination in public carries a lot of weight to the applications. However, it is vital the necessary infrastructure is forthcoming with any future developments.

You can read more about Dog Kennel Lane application on Keiths website post: https://keithgreen.co.uk/dog-kennel-lane-a-positive-update-2/

Planning application PL/2025/00661/PPOL refers to ‘Outline planning application for the erection of up to 450 dwellings (Class C) including affordable housing (40%) and custom and self-build homes, No. vehicular accesses off Bills Lane and associated development including Sustainable Drainage System and Biodiversity Net gain /open space.

As the applicants planning statement highlights, this site was site BL3 in the councils former Local Plan, now withdrawn. It has been through consultation, even the planning inspectors Examination in Public (a form of pubic inquiry). However, although it can be said the principle of development on this site has support from the planning inspectorate, the application must be determined by Solihull’s planning committee.

Over the next few weeks both Cllr Hawkins and myself will be visiting some of the sites across Blythe Ward that have received submissions under the “Call for Sites

Both myself and Cllr Hawkins recently visited Tamworth Lane Doctors Surgery to discuss the proposed planning application for Dog Kennel Lane and the potential effects this will have on already extremely busy Primary care surgery.

We have posted a video below complete with a brief overview of our meeting, we hope this is both informative and helpful

The matter is yet to be determined but we suspect it will come before Solihull’s planning committee later this spring.

A report is before the cabinet member responsible and the following are recommendations in relation to Monkspath.

Blythe Ward: £14,639 in pot:

Applicant: Shelly Farm Community Centre (Rank 1)

Project: Shelly Farm Community Centre Renewal – Renewal / replacement of kitchen doors, handles and worktops. Replacement of 5 skylights

Award: £11,600

Shirley South Ward: £211,009 in pot:

Applicant: Shelly Farm Community Centre (Rank 1)

Project: Shelly Farm Community Centre Renewal – Renew flooring throughout the centre

Award: £18,762

Project is based in Blythe ward but cross boundary benefits to Shirley South residents are demonstrated as many users of the facility come from Shirley South ward.

NOT FUNDED

Applicant: Friends of Hillfield Park (Rank joint 9)

Project: Hillfield Park- Play, Plant & Ponder (including installation of play equipment, seating and planting) Amount requested: £57,348

The application lacks sufficient information on costings and quotes. Consequently, there is uncertainty around whether the project can be delivered for funding requested. Hillfield Park is also located within St Alphege and Blythe wards, but no funding is sought from these wards. Therefore, need to consider the equitability of using Shirley South money to fund the entire project, particularly as the improvements that are being proposed will not address access issues from Shirley South area and will also benefit residents of surrounding wards, potentially more that Shirley South residents.

Solihull has a vibrant town centre, with both Touchwood and Mell Square being an important part of the boroughs economic success. The development of Mell Square will ensure the town centre remains one of the very best places to visit in the UK.

There are a few reasons for us posting about this, especially as the town centre is not in Blythe ward.

We have stated before how important the town centre is to Solihulls economy, it reflects on all the wards in the borough. It is also important to highlight the numbers of projected new homes (mainly apartments) this town centre can deliver – almost 2,000 from the two sites mentioned below.

‘Therefore, together with the Arden Cross projections (see previous post), some 5,000 from our stated housing numbers could be delivered through the town centre and Arden Cross developments, alleviating the pressure on the green belt.‘