Labour’s planning reforms have opened the door to a new and unwanted green fields development on the edge of the city. That’s according to Woodlands Ward councillors, after a proposal emerged to build 550 homes and a multi-faith cemetery on fields next to Bannerbrook Park.
Located just metres from homes in Coventry, the Hawkshurst development would directly impact Coventry residents, even though the so-called the grey belt site falls under Solihull’s jurisdiction. So, Coventry would shoulder the burden on local services, while council tax revenues flow elsewhere.
There are fears that a new multi-faith cemetery could attract mourners from across the Solihull borough leading to increased traffic. There are also concerns that the scheme could exacerbate existing flooding problems with contaminants from the cemetery entering local waterways.
Although Solihull Council has not earmarked the site for development, the new classification of grey belt increases the chances of approval. Under Labour’s updated National Planning Policy Framework, introduced in December 2024, councils must consider ‘grey belt’ land (former green belt sites with some prior development) for housebuilding. In this instance, a small portion of the site is being used as a recycling facility, but the site mostly consists of fields.
Solihull recently withdrew their Local Plan because they were not able to demonstrate a five-year rolling supply of land. The absence of a plan, and the introduction of the grey belt designation means that a developer is more likely to succeed on appeal even if Solihull refuses permission.
Under the new rules, a grey belt development would require at least 50% affordable housing, a move which councillors suggest is being used to justify what is effectively a greenbelt development. A formal planning application isn’t expected until the summer, and local Councillors only heard about the scheme when developer, Barratt Redrow, delivered leaflets to homes in Coventry.
Commenting on the situation Woodlands Ward Councillor Julia Lepoidevin said: “Under this proposal, Solihull Council would benefit from additional council tax revenue. But residents in Coventry would experience a significant increase in traffic from the multi-faith cemetery and new housing with an additional strain on local public services. It’s just not right that we should bear the strain with no benefits for our residents at all, so I’ve set up a petition calling on Coventry City Council to oppose this scheme. I would ask residents to sign it to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the community.”
Fellow Woodlands Ward Councillor, and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, Peter Male added; “This site has not been earmarked for development by Solihull Council because the site was considered inappropriate. Anyone can see it’s farmland in a countryside setting, but the changes introduced by Labour have allowed developers to argue this land is so called grey belt land. They’ve already approved development on huge swathes of greenbelt in the northwest of Coventry. Yet another development on these fields would further erode the greenbelt known as the ‘Meriden Gap’ between Coventry and Birmingham. This must not be allowed to happen.”
Conservative Group Leader at Coventry City Council, and Woodlands Ward Councillor, Gary Ridley said: “We’ve done a lot of work with residents and the Environment Agency to address historic flooding issues in this area. But this development has already put paid to the flood alleviation scheme suggested by the Environment Agency, and more homes will just contribute to the problem. Add a cemetery into the mix and the prospect of contaminants entering the water system is a chilling thought. It’s just plain wrong, and I call on Coventry City Council to vigorously oppose it.”
You can see Cllr Lepoidevin’s petition here: https://edemocracy.coventry.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=585&RPID=90071086&HPID=90071086
