Hampton Road (KN1)
The site known as Hampton Road, Knowle (Policy KN1) was allocated for 180 dwellings in the Solihull Local Plan – Draft Submission Plan, October 2020. The allocation was subsequently increased to 198 dwellings.
Although the Draft Submission Plan was later withdrawn (9 October 2024), there is an agreed approach to helping assess and determine related planning applications (CHP Climate Change & Planning Decision Session, 25 July 2023). This is based on compliance with the draft policy, inclusion of a masterplan for the site, a commitment to delivering necessary infrastructure and an ability to deliver new homes quickly. The Forum anticipates that, pursuant to this approach, one or more planning applications will be submitted during the course of 2026.
The site is made up of two parcels of land totalling about 13 ha. A smaller parcel on the southeast side of Hampton Road is currently home to Knowle Football Club. In addition, there is a larger parcel to the northwest of the road that extends between existing housing and the Grand Union Canal.
Early proposals suggested that the larger parcel would be used predominantly for housing, with a new sports hub on the land near the canal. Following relocation of the football club, its site could be used for higher density housing or possibly care accommodation.
At the present time, proposals are a lot more uncertain. The Forum envisages that the prospective developers will bring forward the latest plans for the site, possibly in mid-2026. These could include master planning and development options for consultation with residents. The Forum is expecting to be involved in the continuing discussions
Arden Triangle (KN2)
A second allocation at Knowle in the Draft Submission Plan was a site known as South of Knowle (Arden Triangle) and was the subject of Policy KN2. The original allocation was for 600 dwellings together with the redevelopment of the Arden Academy secondary school and a new primary school. The allocation was subsequently increased to 660 dwellings. It relates to some 49 ha of land extending between the existing academy site in the north and Grove Road in the south; and between the Middlefield Spring estate in the west and Warwick Road in the east.
Planning proposals have been progressed by a consortium of developers and landowners. There are three larger developers (Inspired Villages, Taylor Wimpey and the Kler Group). A fourth area of land in the southwest is to be developed by Spitfire Homes. Planning applications have now been submitted for all the schemes.
In terms of a masterplan, an “illustrative land use masterplan” was approved by the Council’s Cabinet in December 2024. This includes land (1.8 ha) to be transferred to the Council for the expansion of the Arden Academy site. It identified the principal areas for the development of new homes and supporting infrastructure, the details of which (including access arrangements, green and blue infrastructure and matters of general design), were to be the subject of further consideration.
Although the consortium has been working on the requisite detailed matters, no detailed concept masterplan emerged. All the planning applications have been submitted without an approved context. This piecemeal approach represents a major failure to plan properly for the future of the area. Negative consequences are likely to become apparent in the future.
The first of the planning applications, by Inspired Villages, is for a site between Milverton Road and Warwick Road (Stripes Hill). Permission has now been granted by Solihull Council. It is in two parts. Full planning permission has been granted for a ‘care village’ which will include 48 extra-care units. In addition, outline planning permission has been given for up to approximately 122 further extra-care units. For further details, please refer to “Forum Responses” on this website (reference PL/2023/00222/MAJFDW) or see the application on the Council’s planning portal.
A second application, by Taylor Wimpey, is for the central portion of the Arden Triangle site. It includes detail of a new access off Warwick Road. However, the remainder of the application is in outline whereby permission is sought for up to 200 new dwellings and associated features such as landscaping. Again, planning permission has been granted by Solihull Council. For further details, again please see “Forum Responses” on this website (reference PL/2025/00155/PPOL) or see the application on the Council’s planning portal. As at March 2026 Taylor Wimpey are running a consultation ahead of making a detailed application. The Forum will continue to monitor how this progresses and make further responses as necessary, keep an eye on “Forum Responses”.
A third application, by the Kler Group, is an outline application for up to 450 houses. Details are shown of two new access points off Warwick Road and two off Grove Road. A site for a primary school is also included within this application. The application has now been approved. For further details, see “Forum Responses” on this website (reference PL/2023/02294/PPOL) or follow on the Council’s planning portal.
The fourth area of land is sited in the southeast of the area, just north of the junction of Grove Road with Warwick Road. A full planning application for 25 homes has now been submitted by Spitfire Homes. At the time of writing (March 2026), the application has not been determined. However, the Forum has submitted a response again please see “Forum Responses” on this website (reference PL/2026/00193/PPFL) or on the Council’s planning portal.