Fury over sprawling new housing estate for Arden Triangle as residents slam demise of quaint Knowle village
A huge new housing site in Solihull has been given the go-ahead by planners – despite fears over the “demise” of an historic village.
Kler Group Limited applied for outline permission to build a new housing estate in the ‘Arden Triangle’ in November 2023.
The site is officially known as KN2 but is better known as the Arden Triangle, and lies to the south of Knowle village centre – surrounded by Warwick Road, Station Road and Grove Road.
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Kler Group applied to develop green belt land by building up to 450 homes, including 40 per cent affordable homes and five per cent self and custom built properties.
Solihull Council officers, who recommended approval of the scheme, said that although it could be viewed as inappropriate development of the green belt: “Very special circumstances to justify the development do exist in this application.”
But an opponent of the scheme, resident Andy Moore told the latest planning committee meeting: “I’m speaking on behalf of my family and friends – we live on Middlefield Development. We are strongly opposed to this development on Arden Triangle.
“We are not against new housing, we object to this particular proposal which will result in significant and lasting harm to our community and the demise of historic Knowle. Our village currently has approximately 4,500 dwellings – this development, along with the one already approved of 170 plus the other Taylor Wimpey application, would increase that number by 820.
“Nearly 20 per cent of Knowle in one go, placing pressure on our services and roads that are already stretched.”
Coun Dave Pinwell, ward councillor for Knowle, said: “The reality is Knowle’s road infrastructure will be under serious pressure – the proposal is not fit for purpose.”
But Michael Robson, the agent for Kler Group, said: “This infrastructure-led proposal has been long in the planning. The application provides land for a primary school, early years and SEND provision. The land includes school parking and drop off, and the site is designed for school bus access.
“Significant highway mitigation is proposed – no objections are raised by your highway officers. Benefits (of the scheme) are wide ranging and extensive – delivering much needed market housing, affordable housing.”
Coun Sardul Marwa said: “It’s a comprehensive report – that word inappropriate appears everywhere. I know this new government wants to build everywhere, there won’t be any green belt left the way they are going. Where do we actually stop? The issue I have, the traffic is (currently) a problem.
“The future traffic will be more of a problem, there is no public transportation. If houses are going to be built you have to get it absolutely right.”
Planning officer Mark Andrews said: “I completely understand your concerns. We, through this planning committee in recent months, have had a number of applications for development within the green belt. This is about very special circumstances, we have an exceptional need for housing.
“This site brings up to 450 new homes, 180 affordable.”
Chairman of the committee Coun Bob Grinsell said: “We have a very difficult decision here. It’s inappropriate development in the green belt but it is against the set of very special circumstances – it’s that difficult balance we have to make.”
Outline planning permission was approved, subject to conditions, on a vote of six in favour with one against and one abstention.
Other matters such as layout, scale, landscaping and appearance of the dwellings will form a ‘reserved matters’ application which will need to be brought by the applicant to committee.
Ahead of that submission the chairman made a direct appeal to the agent saying: “Consultation is imperative, please talk.” The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, May 21.