Here are the biggest local planning stories from the past week.

New Aldi

The deputy Prime Minister has rubber-stamped a decision allowing Aldi to build a new store in Balsall Common.

The chain applied in 2021 for the demolition of a vacant former service station on the old Edwins Autos site, to the north of Balsall Common, and construction of the supermarket.

The application featured plans for 93 parking spaces and a cycle shelter providing room for 16 bikes on the Kenilworth Road site.

Read more here

Self Builds Resurface

Plans for 12 'self-build' housing plots in Kenilworth have been put forward to the district council.

Persimmon Homes has submitted two applications - each for six plots - for the Kenilworth Gate development off Leamington Road.

The estate will eventually see 550 homes, a community centre, two primary schools and a major piece of employment land built - with the self build plots originally approved back in 2021 alongside the rest of the development.

Read the full story here.

(Another) HS2 Bridge

Council planners have signed off on the designs for a new bridge to carry a local road over the HS2 line.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has approved an application for a 70 metre bridge which will replace the existing structure at Waste Lane on the edge of Balsall Common.

Plans show the three-span bridge will also eventually have a connection to the re-aligned Kenilworth Greenway.

Read more here.

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