Huge neighbourhood with 970 homes and urban centre proposed near Coventry

[dutchman]

The scheme is seen as an urban extension to Balsall Common and would run alongside the HS2 track



A massive 970-home development could soon be coming to a village near Coventry. Plans have been lodged with Solihull Council for a huge development on green space between Station Road and Waste Lane in Balsall Common.

The proposed development, which would practically form an entire new neighbourhood, would sit alongside the HS2 line cutting through rural Solihull. The scheme would introduce a local centre including a care home/retirement accommodation, community buildings, a primary school and a pre-school.

Public space for a convenience store, a café, a leisure centre and a doctor's surgery is included in the plans. Up to 40 per cent of the units on the 28-hectare site, equating to around 369 homes, would be provided as affordable.

Planning firm Pegasus Group is handling the application on behalf of the developer. It said: "The site provides an opportunity to create a new living environment of the highest standard, which reflects the local vernacular and contextual surroundings.

"The proposals will deliver an attractive, locally distinguishable and sustainable urban extension to Balsall Common, Solihull." A wide range of properties, from one-bedroom apartments to larger four-bedroom detached houses, is mooted.

Several new roads would be built including a T-junction off Station Road and a reconfigured Station Road/Hallmeadow Road roundabout to allow access, BirminghamLive reports.

To reduce reliance on cars, plans involve the introduction of a so-called mini-mobility hub - essentially an interchange hub where different modes of transport (bus, rail, ride sharing etc) would connect the new neighbourhood to the rest of the borough.

There would also be an emphasis on pedestrianised areas and a cycle network. Documents claim houses would be carefully designed with generous windows from habitable rooms.

The development is aiming for 34-35 homes per hectare, with a higher density toward the new local centre. Harris Strategic Land is in partnership with Colchurch Properties to deliver the project, which would be located to the west of the HS2 railway.

[rebbonk]

Maybe they know something we don't? Would you buy here?