Solihull planners refused a house extension in Elmdon at their latest committee meeting.

The application for a single storey rear extension, part-front extension and proposed outbuilding for home gym and office at a property in Ebrington Avenue had been called in by Elmdon ward councillors Robert Johnson and Eleonora Gough.

That followed four objections being made by neighbours due to overlooking concerns and that it would "adversely affect" the attractiveness and future saleability of their properties.

When the vote was held Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee voted unanimously against, giving the reason it did not comply with the authority's planning policy on amenity.

Also at the meeting an application to cut back protected oak trees in Mill Lane, Bentley Heath, was heard.

Officers explained the application was called in for a decision due to the significant amount of local opposition to the proposed work on the trees, which had tree preservation orders on them.

Six objections were submitted raising concerns the proposed pruning works would result in an "unacceptable loss of visual amenity".

It was proposed to reduce the crowns of two trees.

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But officers recommended it be approved on one tree – with a condition on how much pruning would take place – and to refuse the pruning completely on the second.

After a debate lasting around 10 minutes in which councillors saw slides showing the proposed work the recommendation was agreed on a vote of seven councillors in favour with one against.

At the end of the meeting, held at the Civic Suite on October 7, planning committee chairman Cllr Bob Grinsell, noted recent decisions taken by planning officers after being delegated.

These included:

• Peartree Farm, 2141 Warwick Road, Knowle: Demolition of existing buildings and replaced with five dwellings – approved
• Blossomfield Club, Widney Lane, Solihull: Outline planning application for the erection of a single dwelling – approved
• Doveridge Close, Olton: Erect summer house in garden – approved
• Land to the rear of 28 Four Ashes Road, Dorridge: Demolition of existing barn and stables and erection of a single storey self-build dwelling – approved
• 33 Buckingham Road, Smiths Wood: Single storey rear extension, first floor side extension and retrospective consent for a single storey detached outbuilding in rear garden – refused
• 48 Park Avenue, Solihull: Ground floor rear kitchen/dining room extension – approved
• 35 Olton Road, Shirley: Erect two. detached bungalows and single garage – approved
• Land adjacent The Gate International Drive, Shirley: Installation of ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, battery storage housing, and associated works – approved
• 8 Finwood Close, Solihull: Single storey detached garage – refused
• 5 Amington Road, Shirley: Change of use from existing garden room to hairdressing salon – approved
• 175A Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common: Single storey detached annexe with outdoor pool and decking area – refused
• 14 The Grove, Hampton In Arden: Single storey detached garden room/gym/games room/office – refused
• 73 Wichnor Road, Solihull: First floor rear extension – refused