Plans Unveiled for New Homes on Site of Knowle Office Building

An office building in Knowle, a village within Solihull, is poised for redevelopment into new residential homes. The proposal involves demolishing the existing structure, known as Greswolde House, located on Station Road, to make way for seven three-bedroom houses. This plan will be presented to the Solihull Council‘s planning committee on September 17, 2024.

The application was submitted by Tom Callinan of Key Construction in December 2023. Currently, the site accommodates six office spaces, including a boardroom, along with six parking spaces for employees. If approved, the new homes will be marketed for sale, reflecting a growing demand for residential properties in the area.

Local sentiment regarding the proposal has been mixed. A public consultation held during the summer revealed 13 objections, one of which came from Edward Fitter, a councillor representing Knowle. He expressed concerns that the project would result in the loss of valuable business space in the village, especially given that there are existing plans for a significant housing development nearby.

Despite these objections, planning officers from the council have recommended the approval of the project, contingent upon certain conditions. In their report, they noted, “The application site has been in commercial business use for many years.” They also highlighted the lack of necessity for retaining the site for its original business purposes.

The report emphasized the potential benefits of the new homes, stating, “Significant weight should be given to the economic, environmental and social benefits of the new homes.” The planning officers argued that the development aligns with sustainable growth policies and supports the overall planning balance in favor of residential development.

The public meeting, where the proposal will be discussed, is scheduled to take place at the Civic Suite at 18:00 on September 17. Members of the community are encouraged to attend, as the meeting will also be streamed live on the council’s official website.

For those interested in reviewing the full application details, it can be accessed through the council’s online portal by searching for application number PL/2024/02891/PPFL.