Seven dwellings at Greswolde House, Knowle, Solihull

The site and access

The homes would occupy a backland office site reached by a 70-metre shared private access drive and public footpath.

“The proposed new dwellings would be accommodated on land abutting the rear gardens of houses along Station Road to the west, horticultural land to the south and playing fields to the north. The proposed site would maintain the existing public Right of Way…”

“The application that is before you for consideration involves the use of the existing 70m long shared private access drive and public footpath number SL23 running between neighbouring properties numbers 195 and 197 Station Road and enclosed either side by high mature hedges enclosing the rear gardens of number 195 and 197 Station road, allowing for the single passage of a vehicle in one direction and continues beyond the application site in an easterly direction.”

Officer report

Longstanding office use

The site had been used for offices for many years, with earlier approvals for alterations, extensions and replacement office buildings.

“The application site has been in commercial business use for many years. There is a planning history that goes back to 1960 when it is referred to as existing office accommodation.”

“Several planning applications have been approved over the years for alterations and extensions, with the most recent being in 2015. That included a revised parking provision of 38 spaces.”

Officer report

Technical consultees had no objections

Drainage, contaminated land, ecology, highways, landscape, rights of way and fire consultees raised no objections subject to conditions where specified.

“SMBC Contaminated Land – No Objection subject to conditions.”

“SMBC Ecology- No objection subject to conditions and notes.”

Officer report

People spoke both ways

A councillor and a speaker spoke against the application, while another speaker spoke in support.

The committee refused permission

Members refused the application because the access and expected traffic would harm bridleway and highway safety and the reliance on the bridleway would harm residential amenity.

“2024/02891 - GRESWOLDE HOUSE Refused, against the officer recommendation, as Members deemed it failed to satisfy the following policies of the Solihull Local Plan 2013: - 1. The proposed redevelopment of the site to seven dwellings, where access is taken from an existing bridleway whose width is not wide enough to support the passing of two vehicles, will cause a reduction in safety for users of the bridleway and delay to vehicles at Station Road where vehicles must give way…”

Minutes