Up to 92 homes at Lavender Hall Farm, Berkswell, Solihull

What was proposed

An outline scheme proposed up to 92 homes, affordable housing, gardens, garages, access changes, roads, open space and drainage works.

“Proposal: Outline application for the construction of up to 92 dwellings with private gardens and garages; removal of all existing hardstanding areas and structures; alterations to existing access onto Lavender Hall Lane; and provision of new roads, public open space and drainage works across the site (access via Lavender Hall Lane only to be approved at outline stage).”

Officer report

The site and access

The site was allocated for housing in the withdrawn Local Plan Review and would use Lavender Hall Lane, with the railway bridge closed to general vehicles.

“The Application Site (‘the Site’) was allocated for housing as BC6 (Lavender Hall Farm) in the now withdrawn Local Plan Review (‘LPR’).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, a S106 agreement and referral, finding that the benefits clearly outweighed the identified harms.

“(1) Conditions and the completion of S106 Agreement; and…”

“(2) Referral to the National Planning Casework Unit under the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2024.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The main issues were Green Belt harm, sustainability and highway safety, housing, heritage, amenity, ecology, drainage and infrastructure.

“Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and the effect of the proposal on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt.”

“- Amenity; - Character and Appearance; - Contaminated Land; - Drainage; - Ecology; - Heritage; - Housing; - Local Infrastructure; - Open Space; - Other Matters; - Planning Conditions; - Heads of Terms of Section 106 Agreement; - Public Sector Equality Duty; and - Human Rights.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Parish councils and statutory consultees were broadly supportive or raised no objection, generally subject to conditions, contributions or further requirements.

“Statutory Consultees - The following Statutory Consultee responses have been received which may be summarised as follows:”

“Berkswell Parish Council - Broadly supportive of the application and provides observations on matters relating to; Park Lane must reopen before construction starts, safe walking and cycling is route at Hall Meadow Road, collaboration with the adjacent Fisheries development, including a connecting footpath.”

Officer report

What residents said

Eight representations raised concerns about traffic, road safety, construction, walking and cycling, services, Green Belt, amenity, open space, ecology and neighbouring land.

“Impact on Green Belt. • Supportive in principle of developing the brownfield site. • Improvements needed to nearby footpaths as Green Belt compensation.”

“Layout of open space is fragmented. • Concerns regarding road splitting the proposed public open space.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers spoke against the application, while a parish council representative, a ward councillor and the agent broadly spoke in support.

The committee decision

The committee approved the application in line with the officer recommendation, subject to conditions, a S106 agreement, referral and additional air quality and ecology requirements.

“PL/2024/02845/PPOL - LAVENDER HALL FARM Approved, as per Officer recommendation, subject to 1 and 2 below and extra conditions:”

“(i) Conditions and the completion of a S106 Agreement; and (ii) Referral to the National Planning Casework Unit under the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2024.”

Minutes