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Planning Update – Meeting with Solihull Council

July 3, 2025

Cllr Richard Holt and I met with Solihull Planning Officers to discuss the new Local Plan and the numerous proposed and speculative developments affecting Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green.

We fully understand the Government’s pressure on the Council to allocate more housing in the new Local Plan. However, any sites included must be sustainable, protect the most valuable Green Belt, and follow good planning principles under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

🔑 Key Local Plan Updates

  • Local Plan consultation: Autumn 2025.
  • Green Belt Assessment Methodology nearing completion; will be shared with Parish Councils within 2–3 weeks.
  • Draft traffic modelling received and under review by SMBC Highways and applicants.
  • Traffic mitigation proposals will follow; Parish Councils will be able to comment once results are published.
  • Main concern: M42 Junction 4 (North/South) traffic impact.

🚫 Richborough Site – Planning Ref: 2023/202565 (BL1 South)

This site west of Dickens Heath (including the sports fields and land east of Birchy Leasowes Lane) is being promoted for 450 dwellings. Alongside Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green Parish Councils, we are strongly opposed for the following reasons:

  • Flood risk: Significant surface water flooding (recorded in 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2024). Incomplete modelling by the LLFA.
  • Ancient woodland and Local Wildlife Sites affected.
  • No replacement sports pitches have been found in over 9 years.
  • No provision for safe pedestrian or cycle access to Dickens Heath.
  • The site is highly car-dependent and fails Policies P7 & P8 of Solihull’s Local Plan.
  • Widespread resident opposition – over 110 attended the Sept 2024 public meeting.

We are therefore urging the Council to omit this site from the first draft of the new Local Plan.

🛡️ Strategic Green Gap & Development Envelope Proposals

To protect the separate identities of Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green, we’re proposing:

🔹 A Strategic Green Gap, which would:

  • Prevent coalescence between villages.
  • Protect Dickens Heath’s identity as a planned new village with defined boundaries:
    • Stratford Canal (north/east),
    • Ancient woodlands (west),
    • Country park and nature reserves (south).
  • Safeguard biodiversity and nature reserves.

🔹 A Development Envelope around Tidbury Green, up to Whitlocks End Station, beyond which development would be restricted.

These proposals have the support of both Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green Parish Councils as a realistic, protective, and forward-looking approach.

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