Why a Hybrid Planning Application?

The site is characterised by an overprovision of parking and is currently underutilised as a brownfield site. The proposed development represents a more efficient use of the land, with the care home element supporting the delivery of improved sporting facilities.

A Hybrid Planning Application is being prepared to ensure the site can provide additional community facilities to local residents and to assist Solihull MBC in delivering much needed care home facility in a highly sustainable area.

In December 2024, Solihull MBC reported that their 5 Year Housing Land Supply amounts to 2.13 years. The current land supply of 2,963 dwellings has been identified, compared to a requirement of 6,946 dwellings. This is a significant difference and will require sites like this to come forward in an attempt to limit the gap between delivery and the local need. This site can help to meet this need within the urban area. 

The Local Plan consists of Solihull Local Plan Shaping a Sustainable Future and was adopted in December 2013.

Policy P5 of the Local Plan states that “new housing will be supported on unidentified sites in accessible locations where they contribute towards meeting identified borough-wide housing needs and towards enhancing local character and distinctiveness.”

Policy P20 (Provision for Open Space, Children’s Play, Sport, Recreation and Leisure) states that “the Council will support proposals for new or improved sports and leisure facilities provided that the development:

i. Addresses any shortfall in provision outlined in the Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy or the adopted Green Spaces Strategy (2006); 

ii. Reflects the ‘town centre first’ principle outlined in national guidance and is of a scale and size appropriate to the hierarchy of Town Centres as defined in Policies P1 – Support Economic Success, P2 – Maintain Strong Competitive Town Centres, and P19 – Range and Quality of Local Services; 

iii. Is situated within an accessible location as defined in Policy 7 – Accessibility, where the development is easily accessible to the local community and is well served, or is capable of being well served, by public transport, walking and cycling; and 

iv. Accords with other Green Belt and Amenity policies in the Plan. Subject to the above criteria, the Council will support proposals for shared sports facilities at educational centres, where the facility also serves the local area.”

The emerging proposals have been developed with these planning policy considerations in mind. The planning application will be assessed by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council against the relevant planning policies and other material considerations.