The Neighbourhood Forum has lodged an objection with Solihull Council against a huge industrial and distribution centre planned for Hockley Heath. The 100-acre site runs from Kineton Lane up towards Junction 4 on the M42. Six large “box” units are proposed. The total floor area would be almost 1 million square feet. Some of the units would be over 60 feet high.
Developer Indurent Management Ltd submitted the planning application to the Council at the beginning of June. Because of the size of the proposal, and the widespread objections, a decision is not expected until the end of the year. Local MP Saqib Bhatti is another objector to the scheme. Forum Chair Nigel Moore said, “Given the amount of traffic on the motorway, and using Junction 4, this feels like an unsuitable place for a massive scheme like this. Also, the site is part of an important Green Belt gap between the M42 and KDBH. There are much better sites in the region where a scheme like this could be sited without spoiling a rural spot such as this. We should say a resounding ‘no’ to these speculative ideas.”
The next step rests with Solihull Council’s Planning Committee. It will have to wrestle with the many objections that are being submitted.