Solihull planners reject ‘excessive’ Shirley home extension amid neighbour objections Tuesday, January 6, 2026 planning solihull extension shirley objection overdevelopment enforcement retrospective housing disability Solihull Council planners have refused retrospective permission for an extensive extension at a Shirley home, citing concerns over excessive development raised by neighbours and councillors. The property on Ufton Close had … Read More
Good News for Walsall as Extra Council Funding Confirmed Tuesday, January 6, 2026 walsall council funding localgovernment socialcare education budget planning community taxation Walsall Council leader Councillor Mike Bird has welcomed the government’s announcement of a new multi-year funding settlement that promises to transform local authority financing. Revealed just before Christmas by the … Read More
Major State Pension Overhaul in 2026 Set to Affect Millions Sunday, January 4, 2026 pension statepension retirement ageincrease finance government policy workforce planning ajbell Starting in 2026, millions of households will be impacted by a significant change to the state pension system. The state pension age is scheduled to increase from 66 to 67, meaning that individuals born on or after March 6, … Read More
Proposal to Convert Family Home into Five-Bedroom HMO in Castle Vale Wednesday, December 31, 2025 hmo castlevale planning housing accommodation rental development regeneration birmingham community A planning application has been submitted to transform a four-bedroom semi-detached house on Morar Close, Castle Vale, into a five-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This residential property, featuring front and … Read More
Wolverhampton Hearing to Decide Fate of Lidl’s New Alcohol Licence Tuesday, December 30, 2025 wolverhampton lidl alcohol licence supermarket publichealth planning demolition jobs housing A scheduled hearing on January 8 will determine whether Lidl’s new supermarket in Wolverhampton will be granted a licence to sell alcohol. The supermarket chain is set to open on the site of the former Gills sausage factory … Read More
West Midlands Housing Developers Push to Redefine Green Belt Land Tuesday, December 30, 2025 housing greenbelt planning development westmidlands sandwell policy greybelt urbanplanning labour The UK’s housing shortage remains a pressing issue, leaving many families displaced or stuck in temporary accommodation due to soaring rents and evictions. Local authorities face the difficult challenge of meeting housing … Read More