Here are the biggest local planning stories from the last week.

Listed building conversion

Plans to convert a grade II listed building in Meriden into four homes have been approved by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

The Main Road scheme will also see the former offices extended and altered.

According to the design statement submitted with the application, the proposals will restore historic features including "the original historical entrance to the building".

The plans also include new windows, removing the "unattractive" security gates, and a rear extension to create the four homes at the building which is next to the Bull's Head pub.

Read more here.

Hotel development

Changes to plans for extensions at Hogarths Hotel in Solihull have been approved by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

Planning permission was previously granted for extensions in 2022 to expand the Dorridge hotel's accommodation.

The latest application for the Four Ashes Road site sought to amend the plans by making changes to the internal layout, adjusting openings and "repositioning level access".

According to the application, the approved arrangement of the extensions had been reviewed in light of the hotel's operational requirements.

Read more here.

Commercial space in Olton

Solihull planners have given permission for commercial units to be built after the scheme had to go before them due to the applicant's association with a councillor.

The chairman of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee used the application to reminds councillors they can expect similar situations in the future.

The authority deals with hundreds of planning applications a month and the vast majority are decided by planning officers employed by a local authority.

But major and contentious applications often go before the authority's planning committee for a decision.

Read more here.