The building of around 100 new homes on the outskirts of Balsall Common has been given the go-ahead by government inspectors, with the news set to come as a blow for campaigners against the expansion of the village.

Applicant Generator (Balsall) Ltd & Minton Group originally applied to build 95 homes and five "self-build" plots on land off Kenilworth Road in April 2021. 

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported that year that furious locals were disappointed the applicant had even submitted the formal application for the land adjacent to Harper Fields Care Home despite strong opposition.

Loss of green belt is especially contentious in this part of the borough which has already seen rapid expansion and is affected by HS2. 

In February, 18 homes on land at Catchems Corner off Waste Lane in the village were given the go-ahead by Solihull Council's planning committee. 

And earlier this month the LDRS reported a scheme for 110 new homes off Frog Lane was approved by Solihull planners.

The land consists of three paddocks and is off Kenilworth Road, near to the Harper Fields Care Home (image via planning application)

A consultation took place on the Kenilworth Road application last August but Solihull Council never made a decision and, it has been revealed, would have refused if it had. 

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Following non-determination the applicant appealed to the planning inspectorate in October last year.

Inspector Susan Heywood carried out a site visit in January before granting planning permission on February 27. 

In the appeal decision the inspector wrote: "Following the submission of the appeal the council determined it would have refused the application and it put forward evidence to justify the putative reasons for refusal. 

"During the course of the inquiry an agreement was reached between the parties regarding the mechanism to ensure that the appellants make an appropriate contribution to the Balsall Common Relief Road – the council is now satisfied.

"Following this agreement, the council confirmed its view that very special circumstances can be demonstrated for the development in the green belt.

"As such, it no longer wishes to defend the remaining putative reason for refusal. 

"There are now no main issues in dispute between the appellants and the council.

"I have concluded that very special circumstances exist to justify the development in the green belt – the appeal should be allowed." 

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