MERIDEN and Solihull East MP has opposed plans to build 133 homes on green belt land in Balsall Common.
Saqib Bhatti MP has written to Solihull Council objecting plans on Oakes Farm.
The objection highlights multiple conflicts with Solihull Local Plan policies and raises significant concerns about environmental impact, flood risk, infrastructure pressures, and local character.
In his letter Mr Bhatti stressed the proposed development is located within designated green belt protected under the plan and the applicant has not demonstrated the “very special circumstances” required for building on protected land.
His letter says the development is considered harmful to the purpose of the green belt, which is to prevent inappropriate urban expansion and safeguard rural areas.
Mr Bhatti’s objection also states the development fails to meet statutory environmental requirements. Under the Environment Act 2021 and Solihull’s Natural Environment Policy, new developments must deliver a minimum 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain.
He says the application does not meet this requirement onsite and offers no clear strategy for mitigation or off-site compensation.
Mr Bhatti also highlighted flood risk stating the site the proposed SuDS features do not provide adequate long-term resilience against flooding in an area that has a history of floods.
The objection letter further notes that Balsall Common is facing multiple major housing proposals, including Frog Lane and Barratts Farm and the cumulative impact on local infrastructure, such as schools, healthcare, and roads is expected to be severe if additional large developments are approved.
The Conservative MP said: “I wrote to Solihull Council to formally object to the 133-Home Development at Oakes Farm in Balsall Common, an area which has been asked to shoulder considerable burden over recent years.
“This planning proposal conflicts with multiple Solihull Local Plan policies, fails to meet biodiversity and sustainability requirements, and poses unacceptable risks to local infrastructure and flood resilience. That is why I have now made my objections formal.
”I will always stand with residents against speculative development, and I will always do my upmost to protect our precious green belt.”
