Outline plans for six new homes near the HS2 works on the edge of Balsall Common have been blocked by council planners.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has refused to grant 'permission in principle' for the homes on land behind a cottage on Baulk Lane.

The application - which was refused at the end of June - said: "Any adverse impacts of developing the site with up to six houses will not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits."

Plans also stated the council could not demonstrate it has a five-year supply of new houses, arguing this scheme would add to that.

The applicant said the land is 'grey belt' and therefore there should be a lower threshold for accepting more development.

However, council planners were not convinced and refused the application.

A council report said: "Despite the site's location in close proximity to HS2 which is currently undergoing construction work, it is considered that the existing land still displays a strong rural character and is associated with the open countryside rather than being integrated within a settlement or Balsall Common.

"Development of the site with up to six dwellings would bring substantial urbanisation in the context of the area and would harmfully erode the strong rural character to the detriment of the quality and open nature of the countryside landscape in this location."

Click here to see the application in full.

(Header image by Robin Stott via geograph.org.uk)