The population of Berkswell could see a significant increase if a developer gets the go-ahead to build new homes. 

Applicant Barratt David Wilson Homes Mercia wants to build 600 new homes in the village which has a population of around 3,000. 

There are even plans for a cemetery on the site.

A planning application, lodged with Solihull Council planners on June 13, proposes the homes are built on land at Hawkshurst Moor Farm in Broad Lane. 

A statement said: "The site is comprised of agricultural fields, some of which are divided by trees and hedgerows.

"The site measures approximately 67 hectares.

"The proposals represent a high quality, sustainable development which, when set against material planning and policy considerations should be supported and planning permission granted."

The applicant is proposing half of the homes would be affordable housing, and is applying for outline planning permission for the scheme.

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The applicant said the cemetery would be a "multi-faith burial ground" which would fill half the site with space for a maximum of 425 burials per year.

Stressing it is required, the applicant said cemeteries in Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry currently fulfilled the needs of the population but "are close to capacity and will not be able to serve the long term needs for these areas". 

A previous plan to build a solar farm on the south eastern part of the site was turned down by the authority and a government planning inspector in the late 2010s as it was deemed inappropriate development of the green belt. 

The applicant said the land was grey belt – lower quality green belt land that can allow homes to be built on. 

The applicant adds: "It is still worth noting the site can demonstrate very special circumstances if required and the benefits of the scheme demonstrably outweigh the potential harm to the green belt."

Matters such as layout, scale, landscaping and appearance of the dwellings would form a 'reserved matters' application which would need to be submitted at a later date if Solihull planners give the go-ahead.

A consultation is now underway with a closing date for submissions of July 29.