Plans for a new housing estate in Hockley Heath have been approved, generating frustration among hundreds of local residents. The proposed development, set to encompass 99 homes on green belt land south of School Road, faced over 200 objections during public consultations. Opposition came from Hockley Heath Parish Council, local MP Saqib Bhatti, and numerous community groups.
The project by Nurton Developments Ltd includes a variety of homes: one to four-bedroom houses and apartments with five to six units. Despite widespread concerns raised at the Solihull Council planning committee meeting on May 27, the scheme received unanimous approval.
Community representatives voiced strong objections. Stuart Swinton of Hockley Heath Action Group highlighted the impact of multiple planning applications on the narrow School Road, emphasizing road safety issues, including two child-related accidents near Tudor Grange school. He warned that over 200 new dwellings on School Road alone could add 1,400 vehicle trips daily, exacerbating traffic problems.
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Vice chairman of Hockley Heath Parish Council, Sarah Quinton, pointed out the village’s limited public transport, absence of a railway station, and overstretched school facilities. Councillor Sally Tomlinson echoed concerns, calling for a comprehensive infrastructure review before permitting such extensive new housing. Councillor Max McLoughlin described the site as unsustainable for development of this scale, warning it would lock in car-dependent lifestyles.
Despite these concerns, Caroline Chave from Chave Planning emphasized that council officers recommended approval, noting the developer’s commitments to enhancing local infrastructure. Proposed improvements include traffic calming measures and new pedestrian crossings on School Road to boost safety.
During the committee discussion, Councillor James Bradley mentioned the parish council’s ongoing infrastructure review, while planning officer Mark Andrews clarified that the lack of a neighbourhood plan limits the weight that can be given to parish council objections. Planning officer Becky Matravers detailed the “very special circumstances” argued by the applicant, including the significant delivery of affordable and market housing, economic benefits, and contributions to education, health, and sports facilities.
Although the land had previously been earmarked for housing in a now-withdrawn local plan, the council determined the benefits outweighed the harm to the green belt. The application was approved with conditions, and the developer must submit detailed plans addressing layout, scale, and appearance in a subsequent reserved matters application.