Solihull planners have thrown out plans to demolish a Knowle office building to become new homes with concerns over pedestrians' safety.

The plan to demolish the Greswolde House building in Station Road went before the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's planning committee. 

The current site is home to six office spaces including a boardroom, with six parking spaces for staff.

Applicant Tom Callinan, of contractors Key Construction, proposed to turn the site into seven, three bedroom homes which would all go on the market.

The authority's planning officers had previously recommended the scheme be approved.

This was despite 13 objections being submitted, including one from Knowle ward councillor Edward Fitter, in a public consultation.

Objectors raised highways concerns as the narrow bridle path, leading to the site, is off the busy Station Road/Purnells Way junction. 

In the public speaking section Cllr Fitter said: "The bridleway is not capable of being widened.

"How will residents with their vehicles, their visitors' vehicles and deliveries use this route daily without serious conflict with pedestrians?

"The existing office use was manageable but residential use means vehicle movements are going to be at all times of the day."

But planning agent Donna Savage argued: "There is an existing use here at the moment – there are offices there. 

"This isn't just a bridle path, it is an existing access and that needs to be taken into consideration.

"We have shown the site can work."

In the councillors' debate Cllr Jane Lamden said: "I'm quite surprised highways have said yes to this.  Arden Academy, when it turns out, all the young people are walking up Station Road.

"I know this bridleway – you have to edge out to see (in a car). With all these children is it going to be so dangerous."  

Cllr Dave Pinwell said: "Cllr Lamden has mentioned the tsunami of school pupils that cross the entrance to that site.

"There have been several notable accidents on Station Road, particularly the area pupils spill out into the road."

He said previously an accountants used the site during business hours and, if a similar business could take up the site again, he would not want to see a change to the use of the site.

Cllr Mark Wilson said: "If there is an emergency at one of the houses, and it happens in the morning when traffic is very dense in Station Road, what happens then?

"You could have vital seconds lost in trying to save somebody's life. The safety of human beings should be paramount in any application."

The committee chairman Cllr Bob Grinsell said: "I want to see something developed on this land.  But I don't think this is it."

The committee voted unanimously against the scheme. The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, September 17.