PLANS to build 250 homes near Berkswell Windmill have been given the go ahead by Solihull planning chiefs tonight.
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.
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The site land was allocated for up to 250 homes in the now withdrawn Local Plan Review – sites have yet to be allocated for Solihull’s newest local plan.
Although the outline application was given the green light last May, Solihull Planning Committee are set to approve the reserved matters – these are specific details including layout, scale, appearance and landscaping for the homes.
Typically, Solihull Council holds planning committee’s on Wednesday evenings, so a Friday evening meeting has been deemed ‘highly unusual’ by campaigners.
Jeanette McGarry, custodian of Berkswell Windmill, said: “A Friday night planning committee is highly unusual and seems to be a deliberate ploy to avoid public comment and democracy.
“The Friends of the Berkswell Windmill will attend.
“The development will interfere with the Windflow stopping the Berkswell Windmill’s sails from turning.
“We are just asking for green space on the corner of Windmill Lane and Hob Lane.”
Documents released ahead of the meeting state Council officers are recommending the matters are approved subject to conditions.
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “We have arranged an additional planning committee during July due to the number of applications reaching a decision stage and in the interest of setting manageable agendas.
“July 24 was the only date within the calander that an additional meeting could be accommodated.”
