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COUNCIL TURNED DOWN APPLICATION TO ENLARGE HOME LAST NOVEMBER 16:00, 02 Jun 2025 A homeowner has appealed after planners refused permission to extend their cottage in the green belt.

Solihull Council turned down an application to demolish a side conservatory and build a single storey extension at Pear Tree Cottage in Netherwood Lane last November. Applicant Philip

Baldrey lodged the application for the extension to the Chadwick End property last August. READ MORE: LATEST ON SOLIHULL SCHOOL'S EXPANSION PLANS TO COPE WITH RISE IN PUPILS _FOR MORE

STORIES FROM ACROSS __SOLIHULL__ INCLUDING BHX, BREAKING NEWS, POLITICS AND WHAT'S ON, SIGN UP TO OUR __MYSOLIHULL__ NEWSLETTER_ A planning statement from NMKPlanningServices, the agent

for the applicant, said: “The application property is in the green belt. Article continues below "The national planning policy framework confirms the limited extension of existing

buildings in the green belt is appropriate if the extension is not disproportionate to the size of the original building. “The development will bring the cumulative amount of extensions up

to 53 per cent over the size of the original dwelling. "The simple single storey and subordinate design of the extension ensures it is not disproportionated to the original dwelling.

"The extension is appropriate development and is acceptable as a matter of principle.” But in his refusal notice Mark Andrews, the authority’s head of planning, design and engagement

service, wrote: “The proposed single storey extension would further increase the bulk, massing and volume of the already substantially extended existing property which would result in a

disproportionate addition to the original dwelling. “The proposal constitutes inappropriate development that is harmful to the openness of the green belt. “It is not considered there are any

very special circumstances that exist to outweigh this harm.” Mr Baldrey is fighting the refusal decision, taking the matter to the government’s planning inspectorate. The date for the

inquiry is still to be decided according to the planning inspectorate’s website. Article continues below The appeal details can be found by searching for appeal APP/Q4625/D/25/3358625 on the

inspectorate’s website gov.uk/government/organisations/planning-inspectorate.