One new dwelling at 148 Longdon Road, Knowle, Solihull

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for one new dwelling in the rear garden of 148 Longdon Road.

“Proposal: Construction of one new dwelling within the substantial rear garden of No. Longdon Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 9HU.”

“This application seeks permission for the provision of 1 no. dwelling on land to the rear of 148 Longdon Road, Knowle.”

Officer report

The site and planning route

The site is at the end of a garden, accessed from Shortland Close, and the application considered location, land use and amount only.

“Heritage - The site sits within the curtilage of a listed building and it is clear and obvious that its setting would be harmed as a result of the proposed development • Drainage – The land is within Flood Zone 3 • Contamination – The Land is contained within the statutory Contaminated Land Register • Ecology/Landscape – site is a designated SSSI/LWS • Amenity – the site is located within or adjacent to a known source of unneighbourly noise or other nuisance.”

“Should a PIP application be approved, it is confirming that the site is in principle acceptable in terms of location, land use and amount for the development proposed, and as such the proposed development could be accommodated on the site subject to a full assessment of all material planning considerations as would normally apply…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the site accessible, the residential use acceptable and one dwelling appropriate for the surrounding pattern and density.

“However, Policy P7 states that development will be expected to meet the accessibility criteria, unless justified by local circumstances. Having visited the site, the application site is situated within the settlement of Knowle and is located within a wholly residential area. It can be accessed safely via a pavement along Shortland Close which is lit by streetlights.”

“The provision of up to 1no. dwelling at the application site to the rear of 148 Longdon Road is considered acceptable in principle, with particular regard to the amount of development proposed. The scale and density of the scheme would be consistent with the prevailing pattern of development in the surrounding area, notably reflecting the established form and grain of development surrounding of the site.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents objected over amenity, character, access, traffic, construction, trees, biodiversity, sustainability, documents and the permission-in-principle route.

“Loss of light and overshadowing. • Loss of privacy and overlooking • Overbearing and visually intrusive. • Overdevelopment of the plot, • Backland/garden development, • Out of character and harmful to the established pattern of long rear gardens. • Undesirable precedent. • Traffic, access and parking issues • Noise, disturbance and construction impacts • Concerns over damage to mature/veteran trees, root systems, and overshadowing of vegetation.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and a councillor spoke against the application, while a statement supporting it was read aloud.

The committee’s decision

The committee refused the application against the officer recommendation because Members considered that it failed to secure design quality and contravened Policy P15.

“PL/2026/00023/PIP - 148 LONGDON ROAD Refused, against the officer recommendation, as Members felt the application failed to secure design quality and therefore contravened Policy P15 of the Solihull Local Plan.”

Minutes