Replacement dwelling alterations at 18 Birch Tree Grove, Solihull

“Proposal: Variation of Condition 1 (Plans) of planning permission dated 30/09/2022 reference PL/2022/00905/PPFL for: Demolition and replacement of a dwelling house. Namely: Reduction in the size of the overall dwelling, addition of ground floor rear space to the north-west corner, changes to the fenestration and other minor alterations.”

“This section 73 application seeks to vary Condition 1 (Plans) of the previous planning approval PL/2022/00905/PPFL by reducing the size of the overall dwelling, specifically the height of the dwelling, introduce additional ground floor rear space to the north-west corner, undertake changes to the fenestration and other minor alterations, including the introduction of external equipment in the form of three units situated on the side (south) ground floor elevation and solar…”

“PL/2022/00905/PPFL – Demolition and replacement of a dwelling house. Approved 30.09.2022.”

“PL/2024/01836/NONMC - Non-material amendment for reduction in width, reduction in depth, reduction in height, internal layout amendments, alterations to fenestration, infilling of rear/side cut out, following planning approval PL/2022/00905/PPFL for a replacement dwelling. Refused 25.09.2024.”

“To supplement the above policies the Council’s Housing in Context SPG aims to maintain and enhance the local distinctiveness, character and quality of Solihull’s residential areas, encouraging the most efficient use of land, whilst complementing surroundings. It identifies a number of key characteristics and common elements that lead to local distinctiveness and character that should be taken into account in the determination of applications.”

“In terms of the overall quality of the scheme, the revised scheme is not considered to detract from the quality of the appearance of the building and would not appear out of place. It is proposed that the appearance of the building will largely remain the same, whilst the height of the dwelling will be reduced by approximately 0.2m from 11.6m to 11.4m.”

“A total of 20 objections from 9 separate addresses have been received by the LPA in relation to this application. All correspondence has been reviewed and the main issues raised are summarised below (Planning Committee Members have access to all third party correspondence received):”

“Lack of mature landscaping • Increase in ridge height through a skylight • Concern over window cutouts • Out of character • Overdevelopment • Request side windows are obscured • Drainage impacts • Conditions not being discharged • Claims that the dwelling is increasing in size • Boundary issues • Introduction of a second floor • Introduction of solar panels not shown on plans • Lack of correct plans • Insufficient information • Poor materials…”

“PL/2024/02216/VAR - 18 BIRCH TREE GROVE Conditional approval as per the officer recommendation.”

“Compliance with Plans 2. Materials 3. Hard and Soft Landscaping 4. Implementation of Landscaping 5. Boundary treatment details 6. Obscured Glazing 7. Removal of Permitted Development Rights…”

“Balcony condition 9. Notwithstanding the plans approved by virtue of Condition 1 above, the air source heat pumps shown on Drawing No(s) XXXXX and XXXXX are expressly excluded from this planning permission and are not approved.”