A new proposal to build a bungalow on Lodge Croft, at the heart of Knowle village, is stirring controversy among residents who fear the development could lead to overcrowding and impact the area’s historic character.
This latest submission follows several previous plans for the site, including a cancelled Waitrose parking area and a rejected two-storey office block. The office block proposal, dismissed by Solihull Council planners and a government planning inspector in 2021, was rejected primarily due to concerns about the building’s scale and prominence within the conservation area.
In March of this year, applicant Philip Pearce submitted a new plan to demolish existing garages on the site and replace them with a modest, single-storey bungalow. The proposed building would include three bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge, and ancillary residential space. The planning statement highlighted that reducing the structure to a bungalow addresses prior concerns about scale, promising no negative impact on amenity, access, or highway safety.
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Despite the developer’s assurances, 13 residents voiced objections during a recent public consultation this summer, expressing worries over potential overcrowding and incompatibility with the village’s traditional character.
The proposal is set for review by Solihull Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, November 12, with officers recommending approval. According to the committee report, the highway authority supports the project, and the development is expected to preserve the character and significance of the conservation area without harm.
The planning application (reference PL/2025/00510/PPFL) is publicly accessible through the council’s website. The planning committee meeting begins at 6 pm in the Civic Suite and will be available to watch live online via solihull.gov.uk.