Planners have given the final go-ahead for a new three-bedroom bungalow in the heart of Knowle, overriding significant concerns from local residents about the development being 'crammed in' and its impact on parking and access.
Controversial Plans for Lodge Croft
The decision was made by Solihull Council's planning committee during its latest meeting held at the Civic Suite on November 12. The application, submitted by Philip Pearce in March of this year, proposed demolishing existing garages on land at Lodge Croft to make way for the new dwelling.
This site has a contentious history. It was previously earmarked to become a Waitrose car park, a scheme which ultimately fell through. In 2021, a proposal for a two-storey office block was put forward, but this was rejected by both local planners and the government’s planning inspector.
Strong Objections from the Community
A public consultation held in the summer revealed substantial local opposition, with 13 residents formally submitting objections. The debate reached the planning committee, where the voices of concern were heard directly.
Roger Atkinson, Chairman of Knowle Allotments, highlighted a critical issue: the site's access is shared with people using the popular allotments. He stated, "The allotments are used virtually every day of the year," and urged councillors to impose a condition preventing the new dwelling from causing a nuisance by blocking vehicle access. To underscore the problem, he provided a picture of the access being blocked in the past, which was shown to the committee.
Adding to the objections, Knowle Councillor Edward Fitter argued that the application was not merely about demolishing old garages. He emphasised that it represented "the substantial demolition of part of the Knowle Conservation Area," which is also a home to wildlife. He also pointed to the existing parking crisis in Knowle, noting that this development would remove even more parking spaces from the village.
The Committee's Decision and Debate
During the councillors' debate, Councillor Heather Delaney raised the persistent issue of access to the allotments, questioning how the committee could ensure it would not be detrimentally impacted.
In response, planning officer Jon Hallam explained that from a planning perspective, they could only ensure the site had adequate parking provision. He noted that the plans met the required levels, adding, "If anyone did inconsiderately block access it would be a police matter."
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Mr Kennedy, countered the objections by highlighting that the land is a brownfield site, currently used for commercial garages and parking. He confirmed that the official report had no heritage objections and found the design acceptable.
Councillor Bob Grinsell, Chairman of the committee, acknowledged the points made by Coun Fitter but concluded, "we are in a difficult situation." The committee then moved to a vote, resulting in seven councillors voting in favour of the application, with one against and one abstention. The bungalow now has full permission to be built.
