Agenda and minutes

Councillors Steve Caudwell and Jim Ryan tended their apologies with Councillor Dave Pinwell substituting for the latter.

To receive declarations of Members disclosable pecuniary interests and conflicts of interest.

Councillor Robert Grinsell declared an interest in application 2021/02961 – 100 Monastery Drive, Olton in that he had pre-determined the matter and would speak in his capacity as ward member; Councillor Yvonne Clements declared that despite living in the area she had no conflict of interest in application 2021/01477 – Widney Evangelical Free Church; and Councillor James Butler declared a  conflict of interest in application 2021/01418 – Cheswick Green Primary School.

Councillor Robert Grinsell requested to speak on application 2021/02961 – 100 Monastery Drive, Olton; Councillor Ian Courts on application 2021/01477 – Widney Evangelical Free Church, Bentley Heath; and Councillors Richard Holt and Ken Hawkins on application 2021/01418 – Cheswick Green School, Cheswick Green.

No questions or deputations were received.

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on 2nd and 15th February 2022.

The minutes of the meetings held on 2 and 15 February 2022 were confirmed as a true record.

Refused, against the officer recommendation, for the following reason:-

(1)  Policy P15 ‘Urban Design’ of the Solihull Local Plan sets out design principles for applicants to adhere to which, amongst other things, concern the scale and visual appearance of the building. The rear facing dormer as built together with its external white render, would, due to their appearance, size, scale and massing, amount to a poorly designed addition to the property and overdevelopment of the site that would be harmful to the character and appearance of both the host property and the wider street scene.

The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy P15 of the Solihull Local Plan 2013 and the NPPF.

Mr Richard Cobb and Ward Councillor Robert Grinsell spoke against the application whilst Mr Mike Cano spoke in support. Councillor Stuart Davis assumed the role of Chairman to allow Councillor Grinsell to make his representation who, having done so, then removed himself from the Chamber whilst the Committee deliberated the matter.

Refused, against the officer recommendation, for the following reason:-

(1)  The proposed residential development is located to the rear of frontage development and in a back-land position. Having regard to the excessive and poorly conceived size, design, scale, density, massing and materials of the proposal it would result in a development that would be harmful to the well established character, appearance and local distinctiveness of the locality. The development amounts to an overdevelopment of the site exacerbated by a lack of landscaped areas. In addition, the constrained nature of the access and its pinch point at the street junction would result in an unsafe and cluttered street and public space, not easily accessible by future occupiers. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies P5 and P15 of the Solihull Local Plan 2013, to Policy D1 of the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Plan and to the provisions of the adopted Residential Backland Development SPD, as well as guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

For the avoidance of doubt this application relates to the following plan numbers: 20148 ALL 01 E and 20148 ALL 02 A.

Ms Melissa Lowndes and Councillor Ian Courts spoke against the application whilst Ms Glenda Parkes spoke in support.

Conditional approval, as per officer recommendation, and subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement seeking the contribution of £713,695 to support offsite affordable housing.

Conditional approval as per the officer recommendation.

Conditional approval as per the officer recommendation.

Conditional approval as per the officer recommendation.

Conditional approval as per the officer recommendation.

Members were informed of a letter from the Council’s Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive confirming deliverability in perpetuity to highway mitigation measures, namely:-

1.  Blythe Valley dedicated school bus;

2.  Walking bus; and

3.  Wrap around care related to staggered school times.

Mr Simon Coles and Parish Councillor Margaret Gosling spoke against the application whilst Mr Peter Carrol and Councillors Richard Holt and Ken Hawkins spoke in support.

Conditional approval, as per the officer recommendation, and subject to both a Section 106 and Section 106A Agreement to include new planning obligations and also modify/discharge obligations from the 2019 agreement.

A statement opposing the application was read out on behalf of Mr Anthony Endors.

Conditional approval, as per the officer recommendation, and subject to both a Section 106 and Section 106A Agreement to include new planning obligations and also modify/discharge obligations from the 2019 agreement.

Conditional approval, as per the officer recommendation, and subject to both a Section 106 and Section 106A Agreement to include new planning obligations and also modify/discharge obligations from the 2019 agreement.

Members noted the appeal decisions in relation to: 2021/00028 – Knightsbridge Road, Olton; 2021/00037 – 30 Broad Oaks Road, Solihull; 2021/00022 – 14 Spring Lane, Hockley Heath; 2021/00033 – 27 Lindridge Road, Shirley; and 2021/00041 – Home Farm, Shadowbrook Lane, Hampton-in-Arden.

The Delegated Decisions for the period 25 January – 18 February 2022, were noted.