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

Contraversial developments in Knowle and Earlswood

Small housing developments in Solihull have been given the go-ahead by the planning committee for the last time before the power is taken away from them.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported the meeting on October 21 was the final chance for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee to deal with these types of applications before major changes come into force in November.

The first was an application to build five homes on land fronting Wood Lane, Manor Farm in Earlswood which received 20 objections in a public consultation.

Mike Worthington, a Wood Lane resident who told the committee he was representing residents, said: "We strongly object because of the impact on the green belt – the risk of further development."

Read the full story here.

New bid on children's home

The applicants behind a plan to turn a three bedroom Castle Bromwich property into a care home for children have returned to the authority after a previous refusal.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported, applicant Junaid Butt applied to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) for a certificate of lawful development to change the use of the home in Reliant Close near Castlewood School into a care home for two children.

But that plan, submitted in February, was refused by officer Mark Andrews, the authority's head of planning, design and engagement services, who issued a decision notice refusing to certify the legality of the application.

That refusal meant the applicant had to apply for full planning permission if they still want to go-ahead with the plan.

Read the full story here.

550 potential new homes in Tidbury Green

Residents are being invited to have their say on proposals to build up to 550 homes on land north of Norton Lane in Tidbury Green.

Plans for up to 550 homes, a new primary school and a care home on green belt land in Tidbury Green have been submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

The proposals, made by the Minton Tidbury Green and Norton Lane Consortium on 21 September 2026, cover agricultural land north of Norton Lane.

Residents have until 13 November 2026 to have their say on the plans as part of the consultation.

Read the full story here.