Planning committee backs 250-home scheme
Solihull Council's planning committee has given final approval to detailed plans for 250 homes at Pheasant Oak Farm, off Waste Lane in Balsall Common. The reserved matters application, submitted by Vistry Homes, was approved unanimously at a meeting held at the Civic Suite on July 24. The application was considered alongside a report from planning officers, who had recommended approval.
The development will include a children's play area, a community orchard and nature areas. Half of the properties will be designated as affordable homes, according to the developer. That means 125 homes out of 250 will be made available at below market rates. The outline permission for the site was granted last year, and this reserved matters application deals with the specifics of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping.
Historic windmill at the centre of objections
The scheme has been the subject of controversy because of its proximity to Berkswell Windmill, a Grade II listed building that is approximately 200 years old. The windmill is a well-known local landmark, and campaigners have argued that new homes on the corner of Windmill Lane would harm its setting.
During the committee meeting, Jeanette McGarry, owner of the windmill, addressed members directly. She noted that the campaign had the support of local MP Saqib Bhatti and ward councillors. "The setting of the Berkswell Windmill should be protected - it is clearly important," she said.
McGarry stressed that the group was not opposed to housing in principle. "We are not suggesting that there shouldn't be any housing - we are suggesting houses on the corner of Windmill Lane will interfere with the windmill."
Councillor Tony Dicicco agreed, describing the windmill as an important "local, national and international landmark". He called for public open space to be set aside opposite the windmill, saying that "this spot provides the perfect viewing point for the windmill".
Developer makes revisions after feedback
Mr West, speaking on behalf of Vistry Homes, said the developer had engaged with the parish council, ward councillors and residents and had made a number of changes to the original scheme. "This development delivers on what the community needs and expects," he said. He also pointed out that the council's planning officers had recommended approval.
Reserved matters applications are required when outline planning permission has been granted, allowing the council to examine the detailed design of the development. In this case, the applicant revised the scheme after discussions with the local community, and one of the key changes was an increased amount of public open space.
Committee chairman Councillor Bob Grinsell acknowledged that the developer had acted on his earlier request to include public open space. Lawrence Osbourne, the area planning officer, confirmed that the amount of public open space had been increased as a result of minor changes.
Councillor questions scope for windmill protection
Councillor James Bradley asked whether there was any additional action the committee could take to protect the windmill, given that the outline approval had already fixed certain height parameters. Mr Osbourne replied: "We have done as much as possible."
Following that exchange, the committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to conditions. The conditions were not specified in the public meeting, but they typically cover matters such as highways, drainage, ecology and landscaping.
What happens next
With the reserved matters approval now in place, Vistry Homes can proceed with discharging the planning conditions and preparing the site for construction. The project will deliver 250 homes, including a substantial number of affordable properties, along with new community and green spaces. The final vote was unanimous, with all members of the committee voting in favour.
The decision marks the end of a long planning process for the site, which has seen extensive discussion between the developer, the local community and the council. While concerns about the windmill remain unresolved for campaigners, the committee concluded that the benefits of the development, particularly the provision of 50% affordable housing, justified going ahead.
