Latest news with #SolihullCouncil
BBC News
09-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Castle Bromwich Hall hotel says marquee vital for its future
The owners of Solihull boutique hotel are trying again to gain permission to erect a temporary marquee after previously being refused at Grade I-listed Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel said the marquee was essential to securing the future of the historic Normanton Partnership Ltd first applied for permission in 2021 but Castle Bromwich Parish Council objected and permission was subsequently refused by Solihull 42-bedroom hotel had appealed to the government's planning inspectorate but has now withdrawn its appeal. A consultation is now under way on the latest application. A planning statement included in the latest application for the Grade I listed hotel said: "The erection of the temporary marquee is primarily intended for the holding of events and to be used principally for wedding receptions."Separate discussions are taking place through a pre-application process with the council's planning group leader for a more permanent solution to be agreed to meet the requirement of the hotel for the longer term." 'Harm park's significance' Having the marquee "was the only realistic option available to the applicants to secure revenue at anything like the level necessary to continue the upkeep of the heritage asset", it objections previously raised by the parish council included the marquee not being in-keeping with the area, complaints of anti-social parking in the surrounding areas due to lack of parking provision and disturbance to neighbours late at Council planners issued a notice in November that permission had been refused as the temporary fixture would be a "major intervention in this sensitive location" and would "harm the significance" of the Grade ll registered park and the planning application stated "the public benefits of the development outweigh any harm to the significance of the identified heritage assets", adding that the parish council's concerns are "anachronistic" with no "tangible evidence" for them. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Residents' HMO concerns after extension plans in upmarket Solihull village
Neighbours who fear a proposed house extension in Olton could lead to it becoming a large holiday home or HMO have lodged their objections with Solhull planners. But the residents of Barrington Road have been dealt a blow as Solihull Council planning officers are recommending the extension should get the go-ahead. Applicant Lavinia Hughes applied in April for a rear single storey extension, partial conversion of a garage and interior rearrangement at the property in the road. READ MORE: Final decision to be made on detailed plans for new homes in Solihull village Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp A design and access statement included with the application said: 'The brief aims to modernise the interior of the dwelling, providing an up-to-date home with a new living space, utility and downstairs wc within an exterior that matches the rest of the property. 'The massing is proportionate to the existing dwelling and the nearby examples of similar extensions. 'There is no overlooking created within the proposal.' But in a public consultation, which took place in May, nine objections were submitted to the council. One of the objections was from ward councillor Kathryn Thomas who wrote: 'If the residents concerns are correct and the plan is to increase the number of bedrooms in the property to increase the number of guests that the property can accommodate, I am concerned about the inadequacy of the parking on the property. 'Barrington Road already suffers a parking problem with shoppers from the nearby shopping parade plus Olton station parking, putting pressure on residents' ability to park.' Residents have also raised concerns the property could become a house in multiple occupation (HMO), and objected on the grounds of the intensity of the development and that it could lower property values in the area. But in a report for the council's planning committee planning officers write: 'The proposal is considered to have little to no impact on the established character of the street scene. 'The design is consistent with similar extensions that have previously been approved in the area and will continue to provide adequate amenity space for both the host property and neighbouring dwellings. 'The application seeks planning permission to extend an existing dwelling house as set out in the application – nothing more, and as such this is all that can be considered. 'The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the amenities of the adjacent neighbours by general overbearingness.' The application can be viewed on the authority's website by searching for application PL/2025/00685/MINFHO at The planning committee meeting, which is open to the public, is being held at the Civic Suite from 6pm on Wednesday, August 13. The meeting will also be available to watch live on the council's website
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Only realistic option' historic hotel tries again to secure wedding marquee permission
The owners of Solihull boutique hotel are trying again to have a temporary marquee after previously being refused permission. The Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported on the long running saga which originally began in July 2021 when owners Normanton Partnership Ltd applied for permission for the temporary marquee proposed to be based in the north garden of the hotel grounds. Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel says a marquee is essential to securing the future of the historic site. READ MORE : Final decision to be made on detailed plans for new homes in Solihull village We are now on WhatsApp. Join our dedicated community here But Castle Bromwich Parish Council was among those who objected writing: 'The application is objected to as it is not in-keeping with the area; there have been previous complaints of antisocial parking in the surrounding areas due to lack of parking provision; disturbance to neighbours late at night.' And last November Solihull Council planners issued a notice that permission had been refused saying it would be a 'major intervention in this sensitive location' and would 'harm the significance' of the Grade ll registered park and garden. The owners, who purchased the hotel in 2009, then appealed to the government's planning inspectorate but it has now emerged that on July 21 this appeal was withdrawn. This is likely because the owners have now applied again to the council for the marquee. A planning statement included in the latest application says: 'The erection of the temporary marquee is primarily intended for the holding of events and to be used principally for wedding receptions. 'Separate discussions are taking place through a pre-application process with the council's planning group leader for a more permanent solution to be agreed to meet the requirement of the hotel for the longer term. 'The marquee measures approximately 25m in length, 18m in width, 5.92m in height to the ridge and 3m in height to the eaves. 'The public benefits of the development outweigh any harm to the significance of the identified heritage assets.' The applicant says the parish council's concerns are 'anachronistic' with no 'tangible evidence' for them. The applicant adds: 'The provision of a marquee is the only realistic option available to the applicants to secure revenue at anything like the level necessary to continue the upkeep of the heritage asset. 'The applicants request a temporary period of approval for three years as some events such as weddings are booked two years ahead.' The Chester Road-based Grade I listed hotel is described as having 42 'attractive bedrooms with luxurious en-suite facilities'. The hotel has a rich history, Castle Bromwich Hall being built between 1557 and 1585 by Sir Edward Devereux, the first baronet of Castle Bromwich and MP for Tamworth. A consultation is now underway on the latest application with a closing date for submissions of August 27. To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/01331/PPFL at
BBC News
06-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for large solar farm in Solihull village submitted
Plans to create a large solar farm on 90 hectares of land in Solihull have been submitted to Total Energies wants to construct the solar farm and battery storage units on land at Woodhouse Farm in the village of Catherine De land off Catherine De Barnes Lane sits south of Birmingham Airport and northeast of Solihull town plan would see the development split into three sections, with solar panels in each and the storage units in the final third. A consultation is now underway with a closing date for submissions is 26 August. The applicant proposes the farm and battery storage units would be in operation for a period of 40 said: "The proposed development is estimated to contribute towards Solihull Council's electricity requirements and provide a significant contribution to promoting renewable energy use and moving to a low carbon economy."It added that the land should be considered grey belt – lower quality green belt land suitable for development – but if not, "very special circumstances" exist which outweighs any potential application was submitted to Solihull Council in July The applicant added: "There are no significant environmental or planning constraints that would warrant the refusal of this application, and as such it is recommended the application is approved without delay." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Large solar farm proposal for Solihull village
Plans to create a large solar farm in a Solihull village have been submitted to planners. Applicant Total Energies wants to construct the solar farm and battery storage units on around 90 hectares of land at Woodhouse Farm in Catherine De Barnes. The land, off Catherine De Barnes Lane, sits south of Birmingham Airport and northeast of Solihull town centre. READ MORE: Plans for hundreds of new homes in pretty West Midlands village Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp The plan would see the development split into three sections on the land with solar panels in each and the storage units in the final third. The applicant proposes the farm and battery storage units would be in operation for a period of 40 years. A design and access statement, included with the application, said: 'It will be decommissioned following the operational lifespan of the proposal and the site will be reverted to its original agricultural purpose. 'The proposed development is estimated to contribute towards Solihull Council's electricity requirements and provide a significant contribution to promoting renewable energy use and moving to a low carbon economy.' The applicant said the land should be considered grey belt – lower quality green belt land suitable for development – but if not 'very special circumstances' exist which outweighs any potential harm. The application, which was submitted to Solihull Council in July, is also for associated works, equipment, necessary infrastructure and biodiversity enhancement area. The applicant adds: 'There are no significant environmental or planning constraints that would warrant the refusal of this application, and as such it is recommended the application is approved without delay.' A consultation is now underway with a closing date for submissions of August 26. To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/01404/PPFL at
