PLANS TO build 250 homes near Berkswell Windmill have been given the go ahead by Solihull planning chiefs.
The outline application put forward by Barwood Development Securities Ltd for the houses, which will include affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership on land at Pheasant Oak Farm on Hob Lane in Balsall Common, was approved by the planning committee.
The development would also include a children’s play areas, community orchard and ecological areas, pedestrian and cycle access from Waste Lane and Windmill Lane to “enhance connection into the village” and a sustainable drainage system.
The site land was allocated for up to 250 homes in the now withdrawn Local Plan Review – sites have yet to be allocated for Solihull’s newest local plan.
An application for outline planning permission allows for the Council to make a decision on the general principles of how a site can be developed but works should not begin until full planning permission has been given by the authority.
At the meeting campaigners, including The Friends of Berkswell Windmill and a 1,000-plus strong online petition, and called for a new planning condition to be included – the pubic open space to be located opposite the iconic Berkswell Windmill instead of houses.
Speaking at the meeting Jeanette McGarry, custodian of Berkswell Windmill, said: “All we are asking for is compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which refers to the need to protect historic assets – which this application does not do.
“We are not objecting to the housing numbers.
“We are asking for the public open space to be available on the agricultural land and not the brownfield land as referred to.”
This was backed up with a statement from Meriden and Solihull East MP Saqib Bhatti, who has thrown his support behind the campaign to protect the windmill.
Gary Halman, a supporter of the application, said the outline application had been amended a number of times since it was initially submitted 18 months ago.
He added: “We have reduced the maximum height of dwellings, ensuring there would be no conflict with the wind flow for the windmill.”
