RESIDENTS living near a proposed garden-grabbing development on Alderbrook Road have drummed up support of more than 200 people in a bid to bring the plans to a halt.
A planning application to demolish 23 Alderbrook Road, build six four-plus-bedroom houses onto the back garden and extend number 21 was handed to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in May.
A petition with 212 signatures on it and more than 60 objection letters have been submitted to the council in an effort to demonstrate the level of opposition against the application.
The current application would require the demolition of one of a house built in 1904, the removal of 30 trees and landscaping to gain access to the new properties.
Fiona Somerville, one of the campaigners, said: “People in the area are horrified by these proposals.
“We have looked in detail at the plans and elevations submitted with the application and are shocked at the height and scale of the properties which would tower over adjoining properties in Alderbrook Road and Poolfield Drive.
“Having meticulously researched Solihull’s local plan, residents believe that the application directly contravenes planning policy and that the borough’s planning decision makers have adequate reasons to refuse this and further garden grabbing applications.”
Other fears include height of houses, the development being out of character with the rest of the road and being a blot on the landscape similar to those behind 68 to 72 Alderbrook Road.
Fiona added: “The reality of the situation is evident from the ill conceived development of gardens behind 68 to 72 Alderbrook Road where planning permission was granted to demolish two, 100 year old character properties and replace them with seven massive properties.
“The resulting development is completely out of character with the road and will remain a blot on the Alderbrook Road landscape forever.”
The application for 21 and 23 Alderbrook Road is set to be discussed at next Wednesday’s (December 6) planning committee.
