Solihull’s controversial 13,000-home plan takes another step forward

A 200-page blueprint setting out how Solihull could develop up to 2043 has taken another step towards adoption after being endorsed by the council’s cabinet.

The plan includes a policy identifying land for at least 13,096 additional homes, while the overall strategy aims to deliver 21,913 homes between 2026 and 2043.

It comes as Solihull faces pressure to meet the Government’s target of building 8,500 new homes in the borough before 2029.

But councillors have questioned whether they have been given enough information to properly scrutinise the proposals, particularly over potential development on green belt land.

The draft plan was examined during two meetings on September 29, lasting more than four hours in total.

Mark Andrews, the council’s head of planning, design and engagement services, said the plan was being produced on an “accelerated and challenging timescale” following a ministerial letter calling for progress before the end of the year.

He acknowledged some areas of the plan were not as developed as officials would have liked, but said its “fundamental components are sound and legally compliant”.

The council intends to submit the plan before the end of the year, with a public examination expected in late spring next year.

Possible modifications could then take place in the autumn, with the plan potentially being adopted in early 2028.

Andrews warned that failing to adopt a new plan would leave the council “further exposed to speculative developments”.

But the timetable prompted concerns from opposition councillors.

Councillor Samantha Gethen, leader of the Reform UK group, said the proposals could involve putting 13,000 homes on land currently designated as green belt.

“We haven’t got an exact figure for sites, we have got broad locations,” she said.

“Not all the information is out there for anyone to give their actual feelings on the amount of green space we are about to lose for all these developments.”

The council’s planning chief accepted that not all the information was currently publicly available, saying the evidence base would be published when formal consultation begins.

Green group leader Councillor Max McLoughlin also questioned whether there was enough evidence available for meaningful scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, the cabinet portfolio holder for climate change and planning, argued that failing to get the plan through could create greater uncertainty.

“We need a local plan,” he said.

“If we don’t get a plan through by the end of this year, we won’t have a plan for three years.”

He warned this could leave the borough vulnerable to speculative development.

Cllr Gethen subsequently said the comments made her concerned that councillors were effectively being pushed towards supporting the plan.

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Ade Adeyemo said councillors had to be able to properly scrutinise the proposals.

At a later cabinet meeting, Cllr McLoughlin repeated his concerns about the amount of evidence available to councillors.

Council leader Councillor Karen Grinsell said the latest decision represented the next stage in the process and confirmed the evidence base would be made available.

The cabinet agreed to endorse the draft plan and recommend that Full Council approve it at its meeting on Tuesday, October 6.

If approved, the plan will move to a six-week public consultation, giving Solihull residents the opportunity to examine the proposals and submit their views.