A new access road off the A45 Coventry Road to serve Birmingham Airport's relocated car rental facility has been approved by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

The scheme will create a new signal-controlled junction on the A45, around half a kilometre west of the Damson Parkway junction, along with associated engineering works.

According to the planning statement submitted on behalf of Birmingham Airport, the access road forms part of the airport's wider development plans and investment programme.

The document said: "The most appropriate form of junction for new access would be a signalised all-movements junction."

It added that the design would allow signal timings to be coordinated with nearby junctions and would help manage traffic flow along the busy A45 corridor.

"In designing the scheme, a reasonable amount of spare capacity has been planned into it, providing a measure of future proofing," the planning statement said.

Plans also include a controlled pedestrian crossing and bus lane bypasses on both eastbound and westbound approaches to support public transport movements, including the A45 Sprint route.

Supporting documents said the proposal was linked to plans identified in Birmingham Airport's 2018 Master Plan, which includes relocating the car hire centre and creating a new 2,000-space parking facility on the airport's southern side.

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It added that the Master Plan already identified the need for a new access point in the location covered by the application.

Although the site lies within the Solihull Green Belt, the applicant argued the development was appropriate because it constitutes transport infrastructure.

The document also pointed to Solihull Council's Local Plan, which states the authority will "support the continued development" of Birmingham Airport and back "development needed for operational purposes and passenger and freight facilities."

Concluding its assessment, the applicant said the proposals were in line with planning policy and requested approval.

Planning permission has now been granted.

Click here to view the full application.