Solihull residents lose battle against derelict home’s extension

Applicant Sameer Mear originally applied for permission for the building of a single and two storey rear and side extension as well as single storey front extension to a home in Blandford Avenue on the corner with Neville Road in May this year. 

During the consultation process in August, 8 objections were made from neighbours raising various concerns including: 

• Overbearing and dominant 
• Road safety 
• Potential use as a house in multiple occupation (HMO)
• Not in keeping with the local area  
• Too big 
• Not respecting character of the area   

Due to the objections the application went before Solihull Council’s planning committee’s latest meeting at the Civic Suite on October 9. 

In a report for the committee the authority’s planning officers wrote: “The proposed extensions are considered acceptable in terms of size, scale and design. 

“The proposal does not have a detrimental impact on the amenities of the adjacent neighbours and does not have an undue effect upon the character of the host dwelling or the area generally, or the ecological or drainage implications of the site.”

In the meeting planning officer Jon Hallam said a previous application had been refused by the committee due to that being considered excessive, and was also later dismissed at appeal. 

In the public speaking section Councillor Alan Feeney, who represents the Castle Bromwich ward the home is in, said: “I don’t object to this development.

“We objected quite thoroughly to the previous (applications) that have come up for the reasons they were ultimately dismissed.

“Myself and colleagues will be keen to see this property come back into use – it has been derelict for quite some time.”

During the debate councillors raised no objections to the scheme.

And when the vote was taken members of the committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to conditions.