The planning inspectorate has overruled another Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) decision this time for denying planning permission for a house extension and boundary change.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has previously reported the authority has suffered a poor run of lost appeals this year.

Applicant Dr Nauman Khalil originally applied to have a single storey rear extension and move a boundary fence adjacent to a footpath at a property in 3 Saxon Wood Road in Cheswick Green in February.

But in a public consultation Cheswick Green Parish Council objected, writing: "There is a double corner at this location.

"There is a sharp bend by the property on Saxon Wood followed almost immediately by the junction with Knoll Croft where drivers can turn either left or right.

"Drivers need to be able to see if anything is coming from Knoll Croft before they turn the corner.

"It would also make it hard for the resident of number five to see if anything is coming when they wish to come out of their drive.

"Moving the fence out is not a good idea, as it will impede visibility on what is already quite a dangerous corner.

"Members of the parish council regularly walk and drive down there so they are well aware of the situation."

Officer Mark Andrews, the council's head of planning, design and engagement service, refused permission in May.

In his decision notice he wrote: "The boundary treatment is detrimental to local visual amenity and has a negative impact on the streetscene and character of the local area which is predominated by open green spaces, shrubs, trees and other low level treatments to the property boundaries.

"The proposal is therefore contrary to the aims and objectives of the council's adopted house extensions guidelines."

The applicant appealed to the government's planning inspectorate with appointed inspector Andrew Boughton making a site visit on September 22.

The inspector overturned the council's refusal granting permission subject to conditions on October 5.

"Number 3 is a two-storey semi-detached house within an area of similar mid- 20th century housing characterised by largely open frontages presenting a quiet suburban character," the inspector wrote.

"Number 3 is a corner plot with the rear garden area and flank wall of the house enclosed by a high perimeter fence.

"This fence line is proposed to be relocated close to the adjacent pavement incorporating an area of grass into the area of a private garden.

"A small single-storey rear extension to the dwellinghouse is also intended, about which no objections are raised.

"The council's house extension guidelines supplementary planning document refer to the impact of boundary treatment on open housing layouts, suggesting particular care is needed in circumstances such as those found at number 3 and of the importance of openness to the appearance of some estate housing.

"However, the area of grass proposed to be enclosed makes little contribution to the character of the area and, as my observations indicate, the change proposed could have a positive impact in making a modest contribution to the greening of this part of Saxon Wood Road if secured by appropriately worded conditions.

"The appeal should succeed subject to the usual plans and timing conditions with further conditions to ensure the planting and retention of the hedging."

Earlier this year the LDRS reported on other lost appeals which included an extension to a property in Shirley, another home extension in Knowle, a new wall and gate at a property in Lovelace Avenue and a loft conversion at a Castle Bromwich property.

To view the full appeal decision on the Saxon Wood Road property search for application PL/2026/00343/MINFHO at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.