Plans for 250 Homes in Balsall Common Recommend Approval

Plans for a housing development of up to 250 homes at Pheasant Oak Farm in Balsall Common are set for approval by the Solihull Council's planning committee, despite community concerns regarding the impact on the nearby Grade II Listed Berkswell Windmill and the green belt status of the site. Barwood Development Securities has proposed that half of the homes will be affordable and includes features like children's play areas and ecological spaces. Historic England has expressed that the development would cause some harm to the windmill's significance, urging the council to carefully assess potential impacts. The planning committee is expected to consider these factors before making a decision on April 2. The application aligns with the local development plan, despite limited concerns regarding heritage assets. Similar developments in other regions, such as a 62-home project in Nottinghamshire and a 50-home project in Leicestershire, have also faced scrutiny but ultimately received approval.