Solihull Council opposes planning powers changes amid housing debate

Solihull Council has opposed changes to planning powers that could reduce the role of local councillors in deciding major developments across the borough.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, 6 October, councillors unanimously backed a motion calling for planning decisions to remain with locally elected authorities rather than being transferred to regional mayors.

The decision comes as Solihull faces difficult choices over where new homes should be built, how infrastructure should be delivered and how residents can influence development in their neighbourhoods.

Why Solihull Council opposes planning powers changes

The Government’s proposed reforms would give regional mayors, including West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, greater powers over certain major planning applications.

Under the proposals discussed by councillors, mayors could call in qualifying developments and make decisions at regional level. The thresholds outlined include schemes involving more than 150 homes, commercial developments exceeding 15,000 square metres and buildings taller than 30 metres.

The Government has argued that changes to the planning system could help accelerate development. However, Solihull councillors raised concerns about the potential impact on local accountability and residents’ ability to influence decisions.

Deputy council leader Councillor Heather Delaney, who proposed the motion, said: “Planning is about people and the places they call home.

“When something is proposed that could change that community forever, people have a right to expect their voice will be heard.

“I'm increasingly concerned local people's voices are being pushed further and further away from planning decisions.”

Councillor Bob Grinsell, chairman of Solihull’s planning committee, also questioned the prospect of transferring some decisions away from local planning committees.

The council’s motion calls on the Government to keep planning decisions with democratically elected local authorities and asks Solihull’s MPs to raise the issue with ministers.

How could the planning changes affect Solihull?

The debate comes as the borough works on a new Local Plan setting out how development could be delivered over the coming years.

The draft plan provides for 21,913 additional homes between 2026 and 2043, with land identified to deliver at least 13,096 net additional homes as part of the strategy.

The plan was approved for publication by councillors on 6 October, with the council aiming to submit it to the Government before the end of 2026.

The proposed planning powers changes and the Local Plan are separate issues, but both could influence how future development is decided and delivered across Solihull.

For residents, the debate centres on who will have the final say over major schemes and how much influence local communities will retain.

Although Solihull Council’s vote sets out its opposition, the motion does not itself prevent the Government from introducing the proposed reforms.