Solihull planners are being asked to confirm approval for a huge Knowle retirement village following a legal challenge. 

Applicant C Coombs & Senior Living Ltd applied to demolish the existing Stripes Hill farmhouse on the ten-acre site on Warwick Road to make way for 170 homes for the over-65s.

Inspired Villages would operate the site and plans to create a community for retirees made up of bungalows, cottages, and apartments. 

Facilities would include a café, restaurant, meeting and activity space, swimming pool, gym, fitness studio, and treatment rooms.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported in February, members of the authority's planning committee gave the scheme the green light.

But in April a legal challenge from Shoosmiths solicitors raised concerns over how councillors came to their decision. 

Applicant C Coombs & Senior Living Ltd applied to demolish the existing Stripes Hill farmhouse

Councillors will revisit their decision at the next meeting. 

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An officer's report said the legal challenge was based on officers explaining the land was either:

• Green belt, making the potential care home inappropriate development but very special circumstances allowed it
• Grey belt, which is lower quality green belt land which means the site would be able to be used for housing

Officers wrote: "The decision made was not clear as to which approach had been relied upon to inform the decision.

"The planning decision notice had not been issued when Shoosmith's letter was received. 

"The council has therefore taken their own legal advice on the matter. 

"The advice received recommends this planning application be returned to planning committee."

The officers said at the time of the decision the land was considered to have met the tests for it to be grey belt but government guidance had since changed. 

Facilities would include a café, restaurant, meeting and activity space, swimming pool, gym, fitness studio, and treatment rooms

The officers said they no longer considered it grey belt "as the required level of affordable housing is not provided". 

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The report said: "Planning officers recommend a resolution of a grant of planning permission be made.

"In reaching this conclusion, officers acknowledge the application represents inappropriate development in the green belt.

"The very special circumstances advanced within this development proposal are considered to clearly outweigh green belt harm."

The planning committee meeting, which is open to the public, is being held at the Civic Suite from 6pm on Wednesday, June 18.