Developers respond to objections for major Solihull home scheme

Sam Greenway
·2-min read
Plans for nearly 1,000 new homes in Balsall Common -Credit:Pegasus Group/Solihull Council
Plans for nearly 1,000 new homes in Balsall Common -Credit:Pegasus Group/Solihull Council


Objections to an ambitious proposed scheme of nearly 1,000 new homes for Balsall Common include it being a potential flood risk. Neighbouring authority Coventry City Council has also objected to the plans due to highways concerns.

The 970 proposed homes would sit alongside the HS2 line cutting through rural Solihull. Plans for the homes, on green space between Station Road and Waste Lane, were submitted to Solihull Council in July last year.

The scheme includes a care home/retirement accommodation, community buildings, a primary school and a pre-school. Of the 970 planned homes, 369 would be provided as affordable. Homes would include one-bedroom apartments to larger four-bedroom detached houses.

READ MORE: Entire new neighbourhood planned for Balsall Common with almost 1,000 new homes

Public space for a convenience store, a cafe, a leisure centre and a doctor's surgery is included in the plans. And several new roads would be built including a T-junction off Station Road and a reconfigured Station Road/Hallmeadow Road roundabout to allow access.

But in April the Environment Agency (EA) said it objects to the application and recommended planning permission is refused. The EA said the northern area is in a flood zone and there are “some uncertainties with regard to the actual risk”.

The agency asked developers, Harris Strategic Land and Colchurch Properties Limited, for further information. The developer wrote to Solihull Council last month providing requested information. The developers add “we are discussing options for a combined approach (with HS2) to additional measures to further develop the management of downstream existing flood risk.”

Meanwhile Coventry City Council highways called for developers to demonstrate the scheme “would not have a severe impact" on Coventry’s local roads. Coventry's highway officers said it estimated 549 two-way vehicle trips would take place during the peak morning period and 533 two-way vehicle trips would take place during the afternoon peak.

Homes will be a mixture of apartments and houses
Homes will be a mixture of apartments and houses -Credit:Pegasus Group

“Approximately 29 per cent of the vehicle trips generated by the residential element will travel to/from Coventry,” Coventry Highways said. “Despite (this) the transport assessment does not include a review of the impact the development could have on Coventry’s highway network.”

Writing in response the developers said its models show highways would not be “significantly” impacted by those travelling to Coventry from the proposed site. It pointed out commuters could also choose to take the train as Berkswell Railway Station is near to the proposed development.

Solihull Council planners will make the final decision on the application but it remains unclear when this will take place. If given the green light Balsall Common village would be to the west of the new neighbourhood, while the HS2 line would run along the eastern side.

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