They said the plans for Avenue Road (pictured, left) and Knowle Wood Road (pictured, right) were out of keeping with the area.
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It also goes against the Government’s bid to stop such ‘garden grabbing’ plans, they said.
Yet council experts say the plans do not contradict new guidance.
The plan for 62 Avenue Road seeks to demolish a two storey house for two detached two-storey homes.
Some 37 letters opposed the plan. A scheme for one home was rejected by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on December 1 as it would ‘cramp’ the site.
One says: “The development is out of character with the area and has a detrimental
impact on the streetscene.”
Another says: “Development represents garden grabbing contrary to guidance.”
The Government changed the definition of previously developed land – which is easier to get council permission to build on – to remove garden land.
But a council planning officer’s report said this ‘does not create a presumption against housing on all garden sites’ and the plan must show ‘site specific harm’ to be refused.
Recommending approval, it says the plan ‘will not intrude unduly into the streetscene
or appear out of character with the area’.
It adds: “In addition, the proposal will not impact upon the amenity of adjacent residents, and the scheme is appropriate in highway, landscape and ecology terms.”
A further 12 opposed the plan to knock down a bungalow at 18 Knowle Wood Road for two detached two storey homes.
The planning officer made the same point about ‘garden grabbing’ and urged approval.
They said: “It is considered that the proposal is of a size, siting, scale, design and character to
respect the character, appearance and local distinctiveness of the streetscene and will not be unduly detrimental to the amenities currently enjoyed by the occupiers of any nearby dwellings.”
The council's planning committee was due to consider the plans tonight but the meeting has been postponed due to snow. Click here for details.
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