Conservation areas in Solihull

Solihull is home to 20 conservation areas, covering historic villages, residential streets and parts of the borough with particular architectural or historic interest.

Solihull Council says the areas have been designated because their character or appearance is considered worthy of preservation or enhancement.

Being in a conservation area does not mean that you cannot make changes to your home, but there are additional planning controls which can affect alterations, extensions, demolition, trees and signs.

Where are Solihull's conservation areas?

There are currently 20 conservation areas across the borough:

• Ashleigh Road

• Barston

• Berkswell

• Bickenhill

• Castle Bromwich

• Granville Road

• Grove Avenue

• Hampton-in-Arden

• Knowle

• Malvern Hall and Brueton Avenue

• Malvern Park Farm

• Meriden Green

• Meriden Hill

• Olton

• Solihull

• Station Approach, Dorridge

• Temple Balsall

• Walsal End

• Warwick Road

• White House Way

These are the areas currently listed by Solihull Council.

Conservation areas in Solihull town

The Solihull Conservation Area covers much of the historic centre of the town.

It includes areas around St Alphege's Church and churchyard, The Square, Church Hill Road, High Street, Park Road, New Road, Poplar Road, Station Road, Warwick Road and Brueton Gardens.

The boundary was reviewed and amended in 2023, with Malvern House and part of Church Hill Road added while land that had formed part of the rear of properties on the south-west side of High Street was removed following the development of Touchwood.

Knowle

Knowle has its own conservation area, reflecting the historic character of the village and its buildings and streetscape.

It was designated in 1968, with its boundary subsequently amended in 2008.

Hampton-in-Arden

Hampton-in-Arden has been a conservation area since 1969.

Its designation recognises the historic character of the village, with the boundary subsequently amended in 1995 and 2015.

Berkswell

Berkswell has been a conservation area since 1968, with an amendment made in 2012.

The village is one of the areas identified by Solihull Council for its historic character and distinctive built environment.

Olton

The Olton Conservation Area was designated in 1980 and subsequently amended in 1996 and 1999.

White House Way

White House Way is a particularly unusual conservation area because it protects the character of a 1960s housing development.

It was designated in 1999 because of its architectural interest and has retained much of its original post-war character, including mature trees, green spaces and a wildlife pond and brook.

What does living in a conservation area mean?

Conservation area status means there are additional controls over some types of development.

Solihull Council says that more detailed planning applications may be required, while permitted development rights for some minor works can be restricted. Some areas may also have an Article 4 Direction, which removes additional permitted development rights.

This can be particularly important if you are planning:

• An extension

• Alterations to the exterior of your home

• Changes to windows or doors

• Demolition

• Changes to a boundary

• New signs

• Roof alterations

• Work to trees

• Other changes that could affect the character of the area

The exact rules depend on the property and the conservation area, so homeowners should check before starting work.

Can you cut down a tree in a conservation area?

There are additional protections for trees in conservation areas.

Solihull Council says that a tree over 75mm in diameter at 1.5 metres above ground level within a conservation area is automatically protected.

This means you generally need to give the council prior notification before carrying out work such as cutting, removing or damaging the tree.

Trees can also have separate protection through a Tree Preservation Order, known as a TPO.

You can check the council's conservation and tree protection maps before carrying out work.

Do you need planning permission?

Being in a conservation area does not automatically mean every home improvement requires a full planning application.

However, some permitted development rights are restricted in conservation areas, and additional controls can apply.

Solihull Council specifically advises homeowners to check whether planning permission is required before carrying out work, particularly where a property is in a conservation area or is a listed building.

If you are unsure, it is better to check before work begins rather than discover later that permission was required.

Can a new area become a conservation area?

Yes.

Solihull Council is responsible for designating conservation areas within the borough.

Residents can request that an area is considered for designation by contacting the council's planning team and explaining why the area has special architectural or historic significance and why its character or appearance should be preserved or enhanced.

How can I check if my home is in a conservation area?

Solihull Council has an online Conservation, Heritage and Enforcement map which allows residents to check conservation areas and other planning-related designations.

This is particularly useful before carrying out building work, altering a property or making changes to trees.

Check the Solihull Council conservation area map here.

What are conservation area appraisals?

Each conservation area can have an appraisal and management plan setting out the features that make the area special and providing guidance about how its character should be protected.

These documents can be particularly useful for homeowners, developers and anyone considering changes to a property.

Solihull Council says the documents can help when creating development proposals or carrying out alterations.

What about Shirley?

Shirley does not currently have a conservation area.

Solihull Council's list of 20 designated conservation areas does not include Shirley, although the wider borough has a number of listed and locally listed buildings and other heritage designations.

This is useful to know because a property being old or having historic features does not automatically mean it sits inside a conservation area.

Conservation areas and planning in Solihull

Conservation areas are just one of the planning designations that can affect what you can do with a property.

Other restrictions can include:

• Listed building status

• Tree Preservation Orders

• Article 4 Directions

• Local planning policies

• Neighbourhood plans

• Other heritage designations

If you are planning work to your home, check all relevant restrictions before starting.