Meriden and Solihull East's MP and a councillor have been vocal in their opposition to a proposed new housing development in Balsall Common.

The objections to developer Spitfire Homes' proposal to build 133 homes on land at Oakes Farm, were submitted as part of a consultation which ended this week.

Spitfire Homes said in its application: "Key benefits the proposal brings include delivery of a minimum of 50 per cent affordable dwellings; a mix of house types and sizes, catering for varied local housing needs; delivery of community benefits including new play areas and an orchard, alongside a variety of public open spaces; bespoke house types that blend into the existing character of Balsall Common through the use of high quality materials."

The applicant is also arguing the site is grey belt – lower quality green belt land suitable for housing – but if not very special circumstances exist to build the homes anyway.

But in his formal objection Saqib Bhatti MP wrote: "The proposal represents a high-density development that is out of character with the surrounding semi-rural area.

"The designated children's play area is extremely small and poorly located between drainage systems.

"The site and adjacent road network are prone to flooding.

"Balsall Common is already facing pressures from multiple proposal housing schemes, which will collectively strain local infrastructure, schools, healthcare and roads."

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Developer Spitfire Homes has applied for permission to build 133 homes (image via planning application)

Meanwhile Meriden councillor Andrew Burrow has also submitted his objection to Solihull Council.

"The applicant claims "very special circumstances" (to build on green belt land) because Solihull borough does not have a five-year land supply," he writes.

"Whilst the borough does not have a five-year land supply it is my contention the damage to the greenbelt outweighs the need for housing at this site.

"The proposed development is very intense – the site provides only a limited piece of land as accessible green space on its southern boundary.

"On the southern boundary of the site is the Oakes Farm shop and café. The charm of the shop and café is the rural location, which is the norm for farm shops. That will be destroyed by the housing estate."

The proposal looks set to go before the authority's planning committee at one of its future meetings.