An area on the edge of a Solihull village has been given planning permission to become a travellers site.

Applicant Joseph Doherty originally applied to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) to change the use of land of more than 3,000 square metres in Box Trees Road last September.

The Yew Tree Cottage site is around 650 metres from Dorridge with a planning statement included in the application saying it is "sustainably located, with convenient access to local facilities".

The statement said: "The site currently accommodates a permitted stable, a horse ménage and a bat roost/store room.

"This application seeks full planning permission for the use of land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes.

"This includes five residential pitches to meet a recognised need, and a personal need, for such facilities in the area to accommodate a traveller lifestyle.

"The proposal incorporates five mobile homes, five touring caravan spaces and a shared utility/dayroom, as well as sufficient parking, turning, and private amenity space.

"The dayroom will form of a conversion of a section of the existing stables – provide facilities that enable the occupants of the caravans to minimise the recognised hazards associated with cooking and fire in the close confines of caravans and provide facilities for washing and bathing and the maintenance of basic hygiene.

"The dayroom, being a conversion of the existing stables, will be in keeping with nearby existing buildings."

The applicant said the proposal makes "efficient use of an underutilised site".

"There is a generally acknowledged national need for additional traveller sites," the statement said.

"It is understood the council's current position regarding the provision of gypsy and traveller pitches is that there is a need for 38 pitches over the plan period 2020- 2036.

"This application provides an opportunity to address part of the unmet need."

The applicant also said the site could be determined as grey belt – green belt land suitable for development.

"This statement provides the justification required to allow the council to approve this application," the applicant added.

No objections were raised by consultees in a consultation held earlier this year.

And earlier this month officer Mark Andrews, SMBC's head of planning, design and engagement service, issued a decision notice granting permission subject to conditions.