37 affordable almshouses at Land West Of Hob Lane Hob Lane Burton Green, Solihull

What was proposed

The application proposed 37 affordable almshouses, access from Cromwell Lane, management facilities, landscaping, drainage, infrastructure and public open space.

“Proposal: Residential development of 37 Alms houses (Class C3 - affordable dwellings) with access off Cromwell Lane, ancillary site management facilities, landscaping and public open space including SuDS, and associated infrastructure.”

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 37 alms houses, the formation of associated vehicular and pedestrian access onto Cromwell Lane, parking, landscaping, drainage features, open space, associated infrastructure and 100% affordable housing.”

Officer report

The site

The site is 2.1 hectares of agricultural Green Belt land west of Hob Lane, beside Solihull’s boundary with Warwick District Council.

“The application relates to 2.1 hectares of agricultural land west of Hob Lane, Burton Green. The site is within the Green Belt adjacent to the boundary of Solihull Borough shared with Warwick District Council. The village of Burton Green is located within Warwick District and the application site falls fully within the Solihull boundary.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, considering the scheme an appropriate rural exception site with substantial affordable housing benefits and a planning balance in its favour.

“After a robust assessment of the site-specific merits and the current policy basis and material considerations (including those put forward by consultees), officers are of the view that the proposal would fall within the exceptions of paragraph 154 of the NPPF and would be a Rural Exception Site in the Green Belt.”

“The proposed development will deliver much needed affordable homes within a Borough where there has been a substantial and persistent shortfall in housing land supply. The Framework paragraph 73 outlines that smaller sized sites can make an important contribution to meeting the housing requirement of an area and are often built out quickly. Therefore, taking the above into account, substantial weight is attributed to the delivery of affordable housing.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Lead Flood Authority and most consultees raised no objection, while some requested conditions or financial contributions.

“Lead Flood Authority: No objection subject to conditions.”

“Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust – No objection subject to a financial contribution of £33,631 to health care.”

Officer report

Objections and support

Seventy-three addresses objected, citing highways, infrastructure, ecology, Green Belt, design, drainage and disruption; one letter supported affordable housing.

“Green Belt/Policy • Proposal encroaches into the Green Belt; • Development should not be building on Green Belt; and • There are not ‘Very Special Circumstances’ to justify this development in the Green Belt.”

“Other Matters • Disruption during construction; • No infrastructure to support the development; • Too much disruption from HS2 locally; • Flooding and drainage concerns; • This site would only make 1% contribution to the housing needs in the borough; and • The village cannot support such large scale development and will lose its identity.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A Burton Green parish councillor spoke against the application, while a ward councillor and another speaker supported it.

The committee’s decision

The committee gave conditional approval in line with the officer recommendation.

“PL/2025/00092/PPFL - LAND WEST OF HOB LANE Conditional approval as per the officer recommendation.”

Minutes