A Solihull MP has raised concerns over Government plans to make it easier to build homes on land close to railway stations, including areas of Green Belt.

Saqin Bhatti, MP for Meriden and Solihull East, said he had written to Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) cabinet member for climate change and planning, to set out his concerns about the impact the changes could have on the borough.

The Government has announced plans to encourage more housing development around railway stations, while its definition of "grey belt" land could potentially open up areas currently protected as Green Belt for development.

Mr Bhatti said the changes could increase the housing demand placed on Solihull by two thirds, while Birmingham's housing requirement could fall by a third.

Writing on social media, the MP said: "Here in Meriden and Solihull East, our Green Belt matters enormously.

"It protects our communities from urban sprawl, preserves our countryside and is a vital part of the character of our area.

He said he had asked Cllr Mackiewicz to "carefully" consider the implications of the changes for Solihull and ensure local communities are protected as the council's local plan progresses.

Mr Bhatti said brownfield sites and appropriate development should be prioritised, rather than "speculative schemes that simply happen to be near a railway station".

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He added: "We must build the right homes, in the right places, alongside the infrastructure needed to support them."

The MP also said: "I will always fight to protect our precious Green Belt."