PLANS for new houses on the site of a former school swimming pool have been rejected by Solihull planners.
The old lido at Saint Martin’s Girls School, close to Solihull town centre, was in line for redevelopment to make way for five homes.
Solihull property developer Elegant Homes had eyed up the site, close to Malvern Park, which is derelict after decades of abandonment.
The developer would also have built an access road and a pathway into Malvern Park for new residents.
Following opposition from neighbours, the developer reduced the number of house from six to five. It said “The architect has succeeded in producing an overall scheme that will not only remove the Lido’s negative impact, but replace it with buildings which have been inspired by the Stable Blocks to produce a respectful and more appropriate setting.”
But yesterday (September 11), Solihull planner Rebecca Hadley knocked back the proposals. She said the new homes would denigrate Grade 2 listed stable blocks of Malvern Hall. Heritage officers had also said the the listed garden wall of Malvern Hall, and the Malvern Hall and Brueton Avenue Conservation Area would be badly impacted.
Ms Hadley added: “The proposed dwellings would represent poor urban design, the layout and design of which would be at odds to its surroundings and would not respect the existing pattern of development, being alien and out of character with the surrounding area and undermining the established grain of development.”
