Solihull planners facing appeal after refusing extension to Berkswell cottage garden
Rose Cottage in Lavender Hall Lane, Berkswell(Image: Google Maps)
A cottage owner in a picturesque village is fighting Solihull Council after being refused permission to extend his garden.
Applicant Rick Taylor originally applied in February to the authority for a larger garden area after purchasing land on a neighbouring field at the rear of Rose Cottage in Lavender Hall Lane, Berkswell.
The applicant applied to the authority to officially change the land from agricultural.
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The application form said the area was “overspill grazing land not needed by neighbouring farmer” adding there was a significant area of grazing land retained beyond.
Plans included with the application also showed that the resident was arguing the area of 1,049 square metres would match a precedent set by neighbours either side.
But in a blow for the applicant Solihull Council planners turned down the application in April.
In a decision notice officer Mark Andrews, the authority’s head of planning, design and engagement service wrote: “The proposed change of use is detrimental to local visual amenity by way of its substantial harm to the character of Berkswell Conservation Area, a designated heritage asset.
“The use change additionally constitutes inappropriate development in the green belt, and is accordingly harmful to its openness which carries substantial weight in the planning balance.”
The plans for the Rose Cottage garden included in the application(Image: Solihull Council)
Now in a new twist the applicant is fighting the decision by taking the matter to the government’s planning inspectorate.
The applicant appealed on July 29, the inspectorate’s website shows.
Final representations from the council and applicant were due last month, with the date for the inquiry still to be decided.
The appeal details can be found by searching for appeal APP/Q4625/W/25/3369762 on the inspectorate’s website gov.uk/government/organisations/planning-inspectorate.
The original application can still be viewed on the authority’s website by searching for PL/2025/00348/PPFL at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.
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