Plans to build up to two homes on Green Belt land near Knowle have been refused by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

The application sought permission in principle for the erection of up to two dwellings on land adjacent to Riddings Cottage on Knowle Road, Solihull.

The proposal was submitted in March 2026, and a decision was issued by the council in July.

In a planning statement supporting the application, the applicant argued there was a pressing need for new housing in the borough.

It stated: "There is a clear and demonstrable need for the type of development that is proposed due to the significant shortfall in deliverable housing land in Solihull."

The statement added: "National planning policy requires a 5-year supply of deliverable housing land.

"The council can currently only demonstrate a 2.14-year supply.

"This is significantly below the minimum five-year requirement."

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

However, the application attracted objections, including from the Local Highway Authority, which recommended refusal.

The authority said the site's "remote and poorly connected location" failed to promote sustainable travel and would result in an over-reliance on private car use.

SMBC refused the application, saying the development would amount to inappropriate development in the green belt and would harm the openness of the site.

In its decision notice, the council said the applicant had failed to demonstrate any Very Special Circumstances that would justify overriding Green Belt protections.

Officers also raised concerns about the impact the homes would have on the rural character of the area, describing the site as open paddock land and warning the scheme would lead to the "unacceptable urbanisation" of the countryside.

The council further concluded that the site was not in a sufficiently accessible location, with future residents likely to be dependent on private cars for day-to-day journeys.

To view the full application, click here.