A planning chief said they had "regrettably" granted planning permission for more than 30 homes on green belt in a Solihull village following a close vote.

Rainier Developments Limited brought forward an outline planning application to build 32 homes north of School Road in Hockley Heath in October last year.

The scheme went in front of the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee on October 21.

In the public speaking section resident Stuart Swinton, who told members he was representing more than 70 objectors, said: "I presented to you five months ago in the objection to the 99 dwellings south of School Road that residents had serious concerns at the impact of road safety and congestion.

"Nothing has changed, these issues and concerns are still relative to this application."

He also highlighted that with submitted and approved applications, and a further site included in the council's draft local plan, a total of 246 homes could be built in the village with an estimated 1,200 vehicle trips per day.

And he said officers, who had recommended the scheme be approved, had not mentioned in their report the cumulative impact of all the extra homes.

Hockley Heath parish councillor Stephen Batchelor said: "The parish council remains concerned about the suitability of this site.

"The parish council remains concerned about sustainable transport, given the limited walking, cycling and public transport opportunities and the consequence of reliance on private vehicles."

But Gary Stephens, from planning agents Marroons, said the proposals put forward would be "in keeping with the local area".

"Matters of detailed design, such as the layout, are not for determination this evening," he said.

"Should the committee approve, those matters would come back in a subsequent reserved matters application.

"We agree with your officers the proposal should not be refused on grounds of design or density."

In the debate Cllr Bob Grinsell, the chairman of the committee, raised that there had been an objection from SMBC's urban design officers saying he tended to agree with them.

He quoted from its objection which said: "Whilst some developments on the site may be appropriate, it would need to be of a very different and reduced type."

He added: "This urban design report seems to have been glossed over to a certain extent."

Cllr Michael James then raised the site not being in an accessible location, which led officer Kim Allen to say: "A lot of work has been put into improvements to the highway, traffic calming measures, and monies going towards local bus services.

"People from here, yes it is accepted it is a long way to walk to the nearest bus stop but how is that different to its neighbour next door?

"The existing residents experience exactly the same lifestyle and accessibility."

Cllr Grinsell said: "I accept professional advice but sometimes it flies in the face of the real world.

"If we ask those neighbours how they get to the Co-op nine times out of 10 I'll guarantee you they will say 'I drive up there'."

Cllr James said: "We have 32 homes – we are just adding to the problem."

Cllr James Bradley said he felt "conflicted".

"I'm not denying there isn't an impact for the residents of Hockley Heath," the councillor said.

"Its not a very accessible location. Eventually there is going to be an impact, a build up of these applications over time.

"It is almost a rhetorical question – at what point would it be too many houses added to Hockley Heath?

"I feel like the planning system we live under is guiding a particular decision."

Cllr Grinsell said his decision had "swung" during the debate, but they had to consider planning policies they are bound by.

When the vote was held five councillors voted in favour, with four against.

"The application is regrettably approved," the chairman added.