Decision details

Refused as per recommendation

1. The proposed development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt. The motorway service station proposal would cause harm by definition to the Green Belt, significant harm to openness and to the character and appearance of the Green Belt, to the 3 of the 5 purposes of including land within the Green Belt and land use objectives and other harm. The very special circumstances put forward by the applicant in support of the proposal do not clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and the other harm resulting from the proposal. The proposed development is therefore contrary to Policy P17 of the Solihull Local Plan, Policy VC1 of The Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Plan and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Mr Paul Bedwell, Mr Marc Moran, Parish Councillor Ken Blanch (statement read out), and Councillor Ken Meeson spoke against the application whilst Mr Nick Roberts spoke in support.