A huge development of 970 new homes would not be in the green belt, the developer has said.

In its application to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SBMC), Colchurch Properties has said the massive estate between Station Road and Waste Lane is not "inappropriate".

First submitted in 2023, the application is yet to be decided on, but has received significant pushback from locals.

If approved, the application would see 970 homes, a care home/retirement accommodation, community buildings, a primary school and a pre-school built along the HS2 line.

The 28-hectare site - referred to as 'BC1' in the plans - was previously designated as green belt land.

But a report from Colchurch to the council said it should be considered 'grey belt' - land which has previously been developed or does not contribute to the green belt's purpose of preventing 'urban sprawl'.

Green belt land around Balsall Common (image via planning application)

"None of the land within site BC1 contributes strongly to the relevant purposes[...]of the green belt," the report said. 

"At best, the land makes only a 'moderate' contribution to the relevant purposes, and typically makes a weak or weak/moderate contribution."

It continued: "Taking into account the grey belt credentials of site B1; the nature of the proposed development as set out in outline planning applicatio[…] proposed development on site BC1 cannot be regarded as inappropriate."

The application submitted to SMBC says 40 per cent of the units would be designated affordable - 369 homes.

The site would feature a range of housing types 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 also included in the plans.

See the full application here.

The masterplan for the site (image via planning application)