A housing developer will have to pay over £5.5 million towards local services as it looks to build 250 homes on the edge of Balsall Common.

Councillors at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) gave planning permission for the development off Hob Lane this spring after a decision had been delayed by a legal challenge. 

Barwood Development Securities Ltd was given permission for the scheme which includes a children's play area; community orchard and ecological areas; pedestrian and cycle access from Waste Lane and Windmill Lane to "enhance connection into the village" and a sustainable drainage system.

The scheme includes 125 'affordable homes'.

The developer and the council have now signed off on a section 106 agreement - a legal document which confirms what Barwood must contribute towards local services.

The huge bill will see the developer put £5,525,806 forward to SMBC.

Of this, £1,258,200 will be for local primary schools, £682,604 for secondary schools, £625,090 for SEND provision and £221,467 for sixth forms.

£1,266,750 will be contributed towards local highways - £5,067 per house - including the 'Balsall Common relief road'.

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Also included in the bill is £200,718 towards healthcare and £781,750 towards sports pitches.

One of the key concerns raised during public consultations was the effect a new housing site would have on the Grade II Listed building Berkswell Windmill. 

In its submission Historic England wrote: "The main designated heritage asset affected by the scheme is the impressive tower windmill of Berkswell Mill.

"This is one of the best surviving tower mills in the West Midlands and is a picturesque feature of the landscape.

"We feel this development would cause a lower level of less than substantial harm to the Grade II listed building's significance and setting – it is vital then that the council are fully satisfied of its (the homes) potential impact."

With the section 106 agreed, a 'reserved matters' application is now expected to be submitted. This will deal with all the details of the designs of the homes.

When councillors signed off on the outline plans, they encouraged Barwood to do what it can to minimise the impact of the estate on the local area.

"We would encourage you to engage further with the local community with a view to exploring these opportunities," a council letter to Barwood said. 

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"We would hope that this will inform further designs for the scheme which we expect will evolve as reserved matters are prepared."

See the full application here.

Outline plans for the estate off Hob Lane (image via planning application)