Appeal Allowed in Solihull

We are pleased to report yet another recent appeal success, this time in Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) for a backland development of four houses off Alderbrook Road, Solihull. We had previously secured consents on the site, the centre of a long-running battle. This appeal success adds two additional homes meaning a total six, increasing overall density by 50%.

SMBC based their refusal on two grounds: 1) overdevelopment (bulk, size, and spacing), and 2) failure to be subservient to Poolfield Drive, the road behind the development.

We successfully argued the refusal was unjustified and based more on subjectivity than on the facts. For example, several similar developments had previously been approved in the area. The proposed (still generously-sized) houses would also have a similar character and frontage-to-plot ratios to other houses on Alderbrook Road, and the spacing between the houses would be comparable to existing long-established homes. Additionally, we presented the case that the council’s policies do not require the development to be subservient to secondary streets (such as Poolfield Drive), and the houses would as a matter of fact be scarcely visible far from public view.

The Planning Inspector agreed with our case, noting the similarities between the proposal and other developments in the area. The sustainable location of the site also made a higher density of housing acceptable. The Inspector also observed that the development would be consistent with the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of new homes. The Inspector concluded that the development was in accordance with the Council’s adopted Development Plan and supplementary guidance, as well as national planning policy. As a result, the appeal was allowed under written representations.

Solihull have traditionally relied heavily on a small but steady supply of rear garden developments, such as this, to add to the Council’s housing land supply. Over the last ten years this supply has reduced dramatically, due to changes in Government policy, affordable housing requirements, tax changes, and the associated substantial costs. The net effect has been a significant increase in the need to rely on Green Belt sites for housing land.