Creating new homes for Solihull

Since 2006 Summix has been creating places to live, work and play. Summix are one of the UK and Ireland’s leading master developers and regeneration specialists.

Summix aims to create vibrant communities which are shaped and moulded by the opinions and conversations with all stakeholders, from existing and future residents to local authorities and government.

We are proud to have secured planning permission to allow our delivery partners to deliver thousands of new homes, student accommodation, employment and community centres in true high quality mixed-use developments.

We understand that flooding is a key issue locally which effects roads and properties, particularly along Norton Lane. Solihull Council has identified the need for a flood alleviation scheme in this area and prepared initial proposals on Summix’s land. Summix has worked with the council to further develop the flood alleviation scheme and is planning to deliver the scheme as part of the proposals.

The proposed new flood alleviation scheme will help manage surface water and reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. The scheme includes attenuation ponds that will store excess water on-site, helping to prevent flooding both within the development and in surrounding areas.

As part of this, we are also introducing a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) that brings environmental benefits and supports local biodiversity. Features such as swales, wetland basins, permeable paving and shared public open spaces will help manage water naturally and enhance the local landscape. Importantly, the scheme is expected to reduce existing flood issues along Norton Lane, with our analysis suggesting it could benefit around 60 existing homes on Norton Lane.

We are committed to working with Solihull Council and the local community to explore, design and implement robust solutions to reduce flood risk in the local area, providing a material improvement for existing residents living in Tidbury Green.

Should planning permission be granted for the development, Summix will pay a multi-million-pound financial contribution to Solihull Council via a s.106 agreement and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This money would be used to improve local provision for health, education, transport and other types of community infrastructure.

Following engagement with Solihull Council, we understand that there is potential for further expansion of Tidbury Green Primary School to increase capacity for children who will be living on this development. Any expansion would be funded by this development.

Discussions are on-going with Solihull Council on how best to ensure sufficient capacity for Secondary age students who will be living on this development.

In addition, Summix is exploring a range of potential uses that would benefit existing residents in Tidbury Green. Options which are being explored include a café, shop or community hall, alongside a mobility hub and extensive publicly accessible green spaces for all to enjoy, including new parkland areas.

The proposals will include extensive plans for sustainable and active travel opportunities for both new and existing residents by way a design that focusses on of increased permeability, new walking and cycling connections, an increased public transport offer and car sharing, to reduce traffic impacts on the surrounding road network.

The site’s proximity to Wythall Railway Station enables the prospect of commuting to larger areas of employment in a way which can reduce reliance on private vehicle use. Summix will also engage with local bus operators to consider how improvements can be made to existing services, and how routes can best serve the site supplementing the public transport access already afforded by rail and potentially serving a greater range of destinations.

A Travel Plan will be submitted as part of the planning application with the aim of increasing the uptake of active and sustainable modes of travel whilst reducing reliance on private car usage for their day-to-day journeys. This will be managed, monitored and reported to Solihull Council throughout the lifetime of the Travel Plan.

The provision of parking for residents and visitors throughout the proposed development will be provided for in line with the requirements set out in the adopted parking standards: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council: Vehicle Parking Standards and Travel Plans SPD (2006). The adopted parking standards state the requisite provision across all land uses based on the size, mix and scale of the respective use. Summix is intending to submit an outline application, and the precise details of parking would be set out in subsequent reserved matters applications.

The plans are centred on improving connectivity, both to the benefit of existing and future residents of the local area. New footpaths and cycle routes would be created through areas of public open space and, where appropriate, existing footpaths and public rights of way would remain as part of the proposals.

Summix recognises the importance of supporting Solihull Council to help improve and enhance the existing road infrastructure as well as doing everything possible to reduce car usage throughout the development.

The proposals will explore how highways improvements including a comprehensive package of traffic calming measures can be used to deliver our aims of improved road safety for all users, addressing development traffic impacts and enhancing the overall quality of life in the area. The measures seek to reduce vehicle speeds and encourage more considerate driving and will be installed on all key road corridors and junctions surrounding the site, notably Norton Lane, Fulford Hall Road and Rumbush Lane.

Summix is committed to targeting onsite biodiversity net gains of at least 10%. The plans will create a mosaic of species-rich habitats designed to support biodiversity and ecological resilience. There will also be an increase in the number of trees on the site.

Targeted species-specific enhancements will be incorporated to ensure protected and notable species can thrive within the development. These measures will support the long-term viability of key species, enabling them to utilise both newly created and enhanced habitats on the site. The proposals will respect key natural assets in the local area, including Earlswood Lakes and Clowes Wood Nature Reserve.

The planning application will be accompanied by a detailed landscape and visual assessment to understand potential impacts on landscape character and the visual amenity of people who have views of the site, as well as how these can be mitigated through design and landscaping.

The emerging design incorporates the following measures (as shown on the emerging framework plan) to mitigate potential landscape and visual impacts:

• The mature trees and hedgerows along Norton Lane will be protected and retained, apart from short sections of hedgerow to allow for safe access into the development.
• New homes would be set back behind new landscape buffers / green space adjacent to Norton Lane (minimum c. 15m width) and will include new planting which as it matures, will filter views of the new homes.
• A new area of green open space and habitat creation of c. 12 ha (30 acres) is proposed in the western parcel of the site which residents on Norton Lane opposite this part of the site will have views across.
• There are also areas of more extensive open space in places along the site’s frontage with Norton Lane where new development will be set back further from the edge of the site (up to approx. 130m), and where new drainage basins and ponds with biodiverse planting and public open spaces will be created.

An affordable home is housing provided at below market cost for people whose needs aren’t met by the open market. This can include social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership. Summix’s proposals would provide 50% affordable housing, aligning with the National Planning Policy Framework’s ‘Golden Rules’ for development.

Planning guidance from Solihull Council provides expectations regarding the split for affordable housing tenures with 65 per cent to be social or affordable rent and the remaining 35 percent for intermediate (shared ownership) housing. This will be the starting point for discussions with the council.

Nevertheless, during our public engagement programme we will be keen to explore community views regarding the type of homes and tenures the community would like to see be delivered, which will help to inform discussions with relevant officers at Solihull Council.

• Summix – Landowner and promoter
• RPS – Planning, sustainability and archaeology consultants
• edge Urban Design – Masterplanners
• Mode – Transport
• FPCR – Landscape design
• Stantec – Civil engineering
• BMD – Ecology
• HCUK – Heritage
• Meeting Place – Community engagement