Concerns over homes plans

UP to 110 new homes could be built on the outskirts of a Solihull village under plans unveiled this month.

A planning application sets out a sizeable development on fields to the east of Hamptonin-Arden. The Packington Estate, which owns the 3.5-hectare plot off Meriden Road, claims the scheme will help meet local housing needs.

The land is no longer in the green belt and the developer has said it is some distance from the village centre, which is subject to more stringent planning protection.

A planning statement said: “The centre of Hampton-inArden village is a conservation area. This falls on the opposite side of the railway line, which is approximately half a mile from the application site.”

The plans come amid concern about a growing number of developments in and around the semi-rural community.

Hampton-in-Arden Parish Council has made the point that HS2 and an M42 junction upgrade would affect residents.

There are also plans in neighbouring Catherine de Barnes, including a dogs home expansion, a fresh bid to build a Muslim cemetery and a retirement village proposal.

The parish council’s Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) had noted the Meriden Road area was included in Solihull Council’s Local Plan and earmarked for “a major development”.

The document said: “This is a significant addition to the housing stock and will bring pressures, as well as benefiting local facilities.

“However, the parish has an ageing population and needs to provide for local families. The challenge is to ensure a supply of family-sized units, plus bungalows and sheltered accommodation units for elderly residents [to downsize].”

During past consultations, some villagers had voiced concerns the proposed development was simply too big, although others hoped it would help meet local needs.

The latest application seeks outline permission, which would ask Solihull Council to endorse “the principle” of the project. A more detailed submission would be lodged later.