Cheswick Green – Ken Hawkins

LAND EAST OF JOSPEH HOUSE – STRATFORD ROAD, SOLIHULL

15 December 2025

Taylor Wimpey (developers) are consulting on proposals for some 120 new homes on ‘Land East of Joseph House, Stratford Road’. Full details about their proposals can be found via their dedicated website, where you can also have ‘your say’: http://www.tw-stratfordroad.co.uk This site accompanies the developments off Dog Kennel Lane that received outline planning permission last … More LAND EAST OF JOSPEH HOUSE – STRATFORD ROAD, SOLIHULL

Fast. Fierce. Fatal.

25 November 2025

I am posting this campaign overview from West Midlands Fire Service. Lithium-ion battery fires are one of the fastest-growing fire risks in homes today. In November 2024, a young couple tragically died in a Coventry house fire caused by the battery on an e-bike. It had been converted from a standard pedal bike. Such battery … More Fast. Fierce. Fatal.

PROTECTION OF OUR TREES AND HEDGEROWS:

16 October 2025

Blythe ward councillors, Keith Green and Ken Hawkins have requested Solihull Planners to examine how trees and hedges on green belt land can be protected from destruction by developers who may wish to circumnavigate planning niceties. In a letter to Mark Andrews, Solihull’s Head of Planning Design and Engagement, they refer to an incident a … More PROTECTION OF OUR TREES AND HEDGEROWS:

FORESTRY – the Solihull approach

3 September 2025

The Council’s Urban Forestry Strategy 2019-2029 was developed and approved to promote, sustain and enhance the urban forest within Solihull. It recognises the contribution trees make towards the character, appearance and economy for all who live, work and visit Solihull. It also sets out the wider context around the value of trees, and the Urban … More FORESTRY – the Solihull approach

COUNCIL TAX – comparisons

30 July 2025

If you glance on social media, wherever you are in the UK, you may find complaints that ‘their’ own council has an exorbitant rate of council tax. I read similar statements here in Solihull, but the truth is, we have one of the lowest in the UK. I have compared Solihull’s council tax with others … More COUNCIL TAX – comparisons

NHS S106 SUBMISSIONS – Blythe ward sites

23 July 2025

I have mentioned previously my plea for the NHS to seek more substantial sums to address the extra demand in primary and secondary care that will arise through more development. One big complaint from existing residents is that, if its difficult to get a doctor’s appointment now, then what will it be like when we … More NHS S106 SUBMISSIONS – Blythe ward sites

Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report2024-2025

9 July 2025

This was presented at Solihull Council yesterday evening by Dr Sue Ross, Independent Chair Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board. The board does some fantastic work and the report is very readable; there is a an ‘easy read version posted as well. It is clear that with an every increasing older population (see Ageing Well report – … More Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report2024-2025

OBJECTING TO PLANNING/DEVELOPMENTS

25 June 2025

I thought this may be useful for residents to know more about. Anyone can object to a planning application, it does help if the objector has connections with the site concerned. We have seen petitions signed by people objecting to applications in the ward who live abroad! To start with, there has to be a … More OBJECTING TO PLANNING/DEVELOPMENTS

Double whammy for West Mids bus users

17 June 2025

Following a second round of inflation-busting fare rises since he took office the West Midlands Mayor’s pledge for Bus Transformation is not going too well, This month saw a rise of 30% in the price of the cheapest commute to and from work. This contrasts with the previous mayor, Andy Street, who managed to keep … More Double whammy for West Mids bus users

Director of Public Health – Solihull Annual Report 2025/26

12 June 2025

The annual public health report is before the councils Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board next week. This year’s report focuses on Healthy Ageing in Solihull, with the topic having a high priority. Ageing Well is a really important issue for Solihull. Of 309 local authorities in England, only 41 have a greater proportion … More Director of Public Health – Solihull Annual Report 2025/26

Ken Hawkins

Blogging about issues in Blythe Ward (includes Monkspath, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath and Tidbury Green) and Solihull.

Category: Cheswick Green