After the completion of a Judicial Review, dickensheath.net has just heard that the proposed housing developments around the village, at Braggs Farm Lane and Cleobury Lane, have been resubmitted.
The Solihull Local Plan (SLP) was adopted by Solihull MBC at the end of 2013 and this stated that the two sites should be developed in 5 and 10 years time.
Villagers may recall that planning applications for these sites were refused in January 2014 – on the basis that they were premature – and on the back of campaigning from residents and local councillors.
However, there has been a Judicial Review into the SLP following an appeal from developers Gallagher Homes and Lioncourt Homes, with respect to 2 sites in Tidbury Green that were returned to Green Belt in the SLP. In the Judicial Review, the judge was critical of the Planning Inspector who signed off the SLP – in terms of the decision to return the Tidbury Green sites to the Green Belt, and in allowing Solihull to adjust their requirement for a 5 year housing supply from 4,526 homes to 3,847 homes.
Solihull MBC have been refused leave to appeal against this judgement. They are appealing against this decision, but it will take weeks. In the meantime, the council does not have its five year housing land supply and so the developers have resubmitted their planning applications to develop at Braggs Farm Lane and Cleobury Lane.
Solihull Council has been deemed to be more than 400 houses short in their 5 year supply, and unfortunately it seems likely at this stage that the two Dickens Heath sites, plus the Mount Dairy Farm site at Cheswick Green, will be brought forward to bridge the gap.
More to follow…
The unfinished apartments in Dickens Heath centre (the area fenced off in white) should be counted towards any target for homes. This MUST be finished before any new development work is carried out.
Furthermore, the roads in Dickens Heath are a mess and will be unsuitable for any increase in traffic as a result of these new homes.