A ‘GARDEN grabbing’ plan to knock down two semi-detached Solihull houses for flats has been thrown out by councillors.The bid for ten, two-bedroom flats at Streetsbrook Road, by the Lode Lane roundabout, right, was rejected by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on Wednesday night.
This was despite a council planning official recommending the plan be approved. A 10-flat plan was rejected in 2008 and the again the following January.
Some 65 letters opposed the plan with local Conservatives branding it an example of ‘garden grabbing’.
This has become an issue for Solihull MP Lorely Burt and the Conservative MP who wants her seat, Maggie Throup, with both saying Labour has made it easier to allow such plans.
Mrs Burt said in a press release: “This is great news for local residents who have been subjected to harassment from a developer since 2006.
“I hope he will take the hint and either produce a development which is proportionate and in keeping with the area or withdraw from the site altogether”
Cllr Peter Hogarth, who urged planning committee member to reject the plan, said in a press release: “There has been over three years of misery and uncertainty for local residents and they deserve this victory.
“I just hope, for the sake of the residents, this is he last we see of these proposals.”
Mrs Throup said the Government is ‘in denial that the problems of garden grabbing stem from their own planning rules’.
Houses and gardens are classed as brownfield land, making them easier to develop.
Mrs Throup said: “Conservatives will help local people protect the character of their area and give new powers to councillors to allow them to stop garden grabbing ruining our neighbourhoods.”
Concerns about the plan included the size of the building and increased traffic. Ten parking spaces would have been provided.
Yet the council’s planning officer backed the scheme, saying it is ‘acceptable and in accordance with national and local planning policy’.
It said: “The proposals are not expected to result in a detrimental effect upon highway safety.”
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