A ‘GARDEN grabbing’ proposal to build houses in Shirley has been unanimously quashed by Solihull’s planning committee.
Shirley residents had railed against an application by Kingslea Homes to build five bungalows behind a house in Lawnswood Avenue.
Meeting on January 8, the panel took heed of the dozens of petitioners against the homes, citing road safety concerns in their decision to refuse it.
Coun Mark Parker, who had campaigned against the new houses, said: “This is the second time an application has been submitted at this site and I hope the second refusal will now put this matter at rest and residents nearby can go about their lives without disruption.
“With my colleagues I will always oppose garden grabbing in Shirley East and we hope this sends a message to speculative developers.”
Resident Terry Moran and Coun Annette Mackenzie spoke against the application at the committee meeting, arguing road safety could be compromised as the route is used by many young school children and parents walking to the school down the road.
Coun Parker added: “Since Blossomfield Junior and Infant School expanded four years ago, parking and passing traffic worsened and the application would’ve made matters worse.”
Planning officers had recommended the application be approved, saying ‘the proposal can be designed to ensure that it will not be materially harmful to the amenities currently enjoyed by the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings.’
