A housing developer planning to build 970 homes in Balsall Common could be forced to pay nearly £750,000 towards local health care services.

Harris Strategic Land and Colchurch Properties have applied for planning permission for the huge development on green space between Station Road and Waste Lane.

The scheme - which would border the new HS2 line cutting - would also include a care home/retirement accommodation, community buildings, a primary school and a pre-school, but has been met with significant local opposition.

As part of any major housing development like this, local services must tell the housing authority - Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council - what impact the new homes will have.

The developer will then pay a large contribution to these services in what is known as a section 106 agreement.

And while planning permission for the Barretts Farm development, Birmingham and Solihull ICB has said the developer should pay £737,945 towards local health care.

A report submitted to the council says the board’s strategy for health and care “identifies the net healthcare impact of developments”.

“Applying the model to the Barretts Farm development with up to 970 homes, the net healthcare impact, even when allowing for migration trends is significant,” it said. 

“A housing development of this size would require the local development of GP premises, community health centers and expansion of acute and mental health services infrastructure totaling £737,945 to be funded from developer contributions through Section 106.”

It added: “This development is one of a number of developments taking place in the vicinity of the site; and in the catchment area of the services noted above. 

“The intention of the ICB is that contributions for this and similar developments are used as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

The final section 106 agreement - including the specific sums required - will only be decided if planning permission is granted.

The application has been met with a lot of opposition, with Balsall Parish Council and Berkswell Parish Council both objecting.

See the full application here.