Parish councillors have doubled down on "premature" and potentially dangerous plans to build 970 new homes in Balsall Common.

Harris Strategic Land and Colchurch Properties have applied for planning permission for the huge development on green space between Station Road and Waste Lane.

The scheme - which would border the new HS2 line cutting - would also include a care home/retirement accommodation, community buildings, a primary school and a pre-school, but has been met with significant local opposition.

Both Balsall Parish Council and Berkswell Parish Council have registered their opposition, but both local bodies have now submitted renewed objections to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

'Significant Traffic Issues'

Berkswell councillors labelled the scheme "premature" and said the developers have not demonstrated "convincingly" there are very special circumstances for the green belt land should be built on.

The objection added: "Without the relief road being built from Station Road to Waste Lane, this development cannot take place due to the impact of traffic on existing minor roads within the village."

Colleagues at Balsall also objected to the application, saying it does not follow the neighbourhood development plan - a major planning document designed to control how the village is expanded.

The council said the huge numbers of cars heading on to Station Road would be unsafe for pedestrians, in particular schoolchildren. 

The masterplan for the site (image via planning application)

"Pupils who come by train to the Heart of England school also have to walk along Station Road," the objection said. 

"The parish council considers that a new access for a large number of houses onto Station Road is inappropriate and will comprise the safety of pedestrians particularly the elderly, the very young and disabled, aggravated by the existing parking on that side of the road and access/egress issues from a local pub and existing residential developments." 

It added: "The parish council also wants to draw attention to the fact that a large number of new houses in this location will create significant traffic issues throughout Balsall Common unless the relief road is delivered as part of the development."

'Highest Standards'

In the application to SMBC, the developers say the estate will include 369 affordable homes (40 per cent), with a range of homes from one-bedroom apartments to larger four-bedroom detached houses.

Public space for a convenience store, a café, a leisure centre and a doctor's surgery is included in the plans.

Several new roads would be built including a T-junction off Station Road and a reconfigured Station Road/Hallmeadow Road roundabout to allow access.

"The site provides an opportunity to create a new living environment of the highest standard, which reflects the local vernacular and contextual surroundings," the application said.

"The proposals will deliver an attractive, locally distinguishable and sustainable urban extension to Balsall Common, Solihull." 

See the full application here.