Despite some high profile losses Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) has enjoyed some successes after being taken to appeal by unhappy planning applicants.

The inspector siding with the authority is also good news for the council, and ultimately the taxpayer, as it is not faced with a bill for costs.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service has previously reported the council has lost various appeals this year including 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.

But council officials and councillors will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that the government's planning inspectorate hasn't sided with applicants in other decisions.

Results are regularly published in an appeal report for the authority's planning committee to consider.

Appeals listed on the agenda for meetings in recent months include:

• First floor side and rear extension, loft conversion with rear dormer, and ground floor front extension and porch at a property in Melton Avenue, Solihull.

The inspector found the extensions to the semi-detached home would "harm the character and appearance of the area" and said although it would provide additional family accommodation, that did not outweigh the harm.

• A gable wall/roof amendment rear dormer and front facing Veluxs at a property in Whateley Crescent, Castle Bromwich.

The inspector found the extensions would harm the character and appearance of the area adding: "examples of other developments elsewhere do not outweigh this harm".

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• Extension to existing outbuilding, changing the use of land from agricultural to residential garden and the laying of hardstanding and a gravel access track at a property in The Woodlands Lodge Green Lane in Meriden.

The inspector found "the extension of the residential garden and laying of hardstanding" are "inappropriate development within the green belt".

• Oak tree T1 – six metre reduction in height, oak tree T2 – five metre reduction in height, and oak tree T4 – six metre reduction in height.

The trees applied for reduction were located within Elmdon Coppice wood in Waldeve Grove.

The inspector found the "proposed pruning of the oak trees would result in unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area" adding "insufficient information has been provided to justify the works".

The full decisions of the planning inspectors can be viewed on the council's website at https://publicaccess. solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.