Uncertain future for Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath

The Forum has had its first sight of the Council’s emerging Local Plan.  This follows the publication on Monday evening of the agenda for the Council’s next Cabinet meeting (29 September).  The Local Plan will be considered by the Cabinet and then by the full Council on 6 October).

Future proposals mentioned for Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath (KDBH) include:

• Up to 845 dwellings on land south of Knowle and west of Warwick Road. This includes all the development that is anticipated at the Arden Triangle.
• Policy KN1A: 114 dwellings on land north of Hampton Road, Knowle. This is the site opposite Grimshaw Hall where Bloor Homes have recently consulted on 150 homes.
• Policy KN1B: 58 dwellings on land south of Hampton Road, Knowle.  This is carried over from the withdrawn Local Plan.
• Land around Dorridge Station, identified as a “broad location” – but no details yet. This reflects Government policy that supports, in principle, housing within reasonable walking distance of stations.

In addition to these proposals, the Plan refers to the possibility of “grey belt windfalls”.  These are sites in the Green Belt that are already the subject of planning applications.  The Council is assuming that a proportion of these will be approved.

A spokesperson for the Forum said, “There are several of these ‘grey belt windfalls’ in KDBH. Which ones are going to be approved?  They are all speculative.  We are supposed to have a plan-led system.  This is a complete abrogation of the Council’s duty to plan, in advance, where future development should take place.

“All of this creates considerable uncertainty.  The approval of these applications will have a major impact on our services and infrastructure.  In any event, we don’t think that all these developments are necessary.  There is plenty of capacity in Birmingham – without building on our Green Belt.”

Once the emerging Plan is approved by the Council, KDBH residents and the Forum will be able to submit representations.  These will be taken into account at an examination, to be carried out by an independent Inspector, probably next year.

You can see more at https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/2026/councils-local-plan-takes-next-step and Public Pack Agenda Document for Cabinet