Arden Cross is a £3.2bn opportunity to drive substantial growth across the West Midlands and national economy. Sitting within Solihull Borough it has the opportunity to be a world leading community. Sitting within an established cluster of world-class assets, including the NEC, Resorts World, and Jaguar Land Rover’s flagship Solihull manufacturing plant, HS2, Arden Cross … More The jewel that is – ARDEN CROSS
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
A piece of welcome news within the latest planning update letter is reference to fast food outlets, where by local planning authorities can refuse applications for fast food outlets within walking distance to schools., or other locations where young people congregated. Full details here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ac8a4337726e9056af606c/1_Chief_Planners_Newsletter_11_February_2025.pdf
I have been seeking more funding for local NHS funding from planning developments and the good news is – its happening. I posted about this in July last year: https://cllrkenhawkins.co.uk/2024/07/08/solihull-infrastructure-delivery-plan/ From just three major planning applications in Blythe ward we find the sums sought from the NHS – Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (NHS … More NHS – Healthcare Section 106 funding
PLANNING APPLICATION – DOG KENNEL LANE: This report focuses on three main issues. Two developers for Dog Kennel Lane have now submitted their site master-plan planning applications and details can be found via the council planning portal. For ease both Ken and Keith have added the more important documents on their websites. This includes planning … More BLYTHE WARD – MONTHLY REPORT
Planning application PL/2024/02970/PPFL relates to an application for a ‘Change of use to catering college’ by University College Birmingham (UCB). This looks like a brilliant opportunity for the area to replace units that have been vacant for a long time. Decrease levels of unemployment in the area by introducing training and skillsto support local business … More Catering college proposed for Chelmsley Wood Town Centre
Following the withdrawal of Solihull’s Draft Local Plan, the Council is building on the work already undertaken to develop a new Plan for the borough by issuing a ‘call-for-site submissions’, as set out in the report to Full Council in October. On 4 September 2024 the Inspectors appointed to examine Solihull’s Local Plan recommended that … More Solihull Local Plan – Update
Nationwide placemaker Muse, in partnership with Solihull Council, is driving forward a major and exciting transformation of Mell Square in Solihull town centre. The proposals can be found here: https://www.mellsquaresolihull.co.uk/proposals How can I find out more and have my say? As well as the drop in/webinar sessions you can also have your say about Mell … More MELL SQUARE CONSULTATION
In a letter to Solihull’s Head of Planning Design and Engagement, Blythe ward Councillors, Ken Hawkins, Richard Holt and Keith Green have called for a major planning application in Dickens Heath to be withdrawn. An application for 450 new homes was submitted in December 2023 by Richborough Estates and the have still to come up … More Call for Housing application to be withdrawn
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:
Ken Hawkins 