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:
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
Residents may be aware of the councils recent ‘Call for Sites’ in order to fulfil its responsibilities in respect of housing targets (some 1300 new homes a year for the next ten years). I have posted here a breakdown of the main sites the Dickens Heath, Tidbury Green and Cheswick Green communities, together with maps. … More CALL FOR SITES – WITH MORE RELEVANCE TO DICKENS HEATH COMMUNITIES
Thanks go to a resident from Shirley/Majors Green for highlighting this issue. The map shows the location of the bridlepath, that leads from Dickens Heath Road, through green space and towards Bills Lane. There is a smashing circular walk, but unfortunately, as you can see from the video, there is a stretch that is completely … More Bridle Path flooded – Dickens Heath
SMBC press release 17 Feb 2025: Veolia, in partnership with Solihull Council, is launching a third round of funding through the Solihull Community Environment Fund on 17 February with £20,000 available to support local eco-projects, clubs and communities. In the photograph: Sue Cummine, Solihull Contract Manager – Veolia (left) and myself (right) with Nikki Mapes … More Veolia and Solihull Council launch Community Environment Fund with £20,000 up for grabs.
As part of the energy network pipework installation, works to the Alderbrook river crossing began this week as indicated on the site plan. This work is a priority section for installation due to the Environment Agency permit that is in place which requires that this crossing is completed by 1 October 2024 to protect spawning … More SOLIHULL TOWN CENTRE ENERGY NETWORK – Early works:
Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) update: The initial recommendations from the LGBC will be discussed at our full council in October. Our submission will be determined by them and they will submit their final recommendations to parliament for them to be formalised, possibly by the end of this year. In any event they will not … More BLYTHE WARD – AUGUST – MONTHLY REPORT
Hope Coppice became Solihull’s 17th Green Flag Park recently and is a gem of a place to visit. Access is quite easy via highway or public footpath (see map). It is a ‘must visit’ place with children during the school holidays. Plenty for them to get up to. Why not take a picnic? Situated on … More Hope Coppice
Abridged from the councils press release earlier today: The council has a partnership with Vital Energi to develop our Carbon Energy Network. The new energy network will generate low carbon heat and power (electricity) from a single energy centre and distribute it directly into town centre buildings via a system of underground pipes and cables. … More Solihull Town Centre’s Low Carbon Energy Network –
This is a real bug-bearer because not only can it be unsightly, it impacts on our everyday walks. It does though have far more consequences to people who are less mobile or have sight restrictions. Growth of hedges and shrubs have increased dramatically in the past years, through wetter and warmer summers. This has certainly … More OVERHANGING VEGETATION – in Solihull
Ken Hawkins 