Richborough has revealed ambitious plans to build 300 new homes on green belt land at Golden End Farm, located north of Kenilworth Road on the outskirts of Knowle, Solihull.
The site was previously categorized as an ‘amber’ location in Solihull Council’s 2019 draft local plan supplementary consultation, indicating its potential as a “highly accessible location near to local services” suitable for residential development.
Alongside housing, the developer proposes establishing a community park, a new sports pitch, and a foot and cycle path alongside the Grand Union Canal. To ease traffic congestion during peak times, a modest car park off Kixley Lane is planned to support Knowle Primary Academy.
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While Richborough has not yet submitted a formal planning application, they have launched a consultation on their website to gather community feedback and suggestions. A company spokesperson emphasized the importance of incorporating local priorities into the development, including housing types, transport investment, and public space design. The input received will help shape the final plans before submission.
Housing development on green belt land remains a contentious issue in Solihull, where the government’s national housing target of 1.5 million homes during this parliament includes an 8,500-home goal for the borough. Notably, last year Solihull Council reclassified Knowle, Dorridge, and Bentley Heath as a single settlement to better protect green belt areas by preventing the merging of these villages.