You may recall that another application is underway by a developer intending to build a Motorway Service Area on the M42 between Hampton and Catherine de Barnes. The application is likely to be heard by SMBC planning committee on 27th April and objections will be accepted up until that date, the sooner before the better though.

If you haven’t already written to SMBC about the proposal we urge you and your neighbours to do so now as a matter of urgency, we need your support to protect our precious Green Belt.

Here are some possible reasons for objecting: the large site is in the Greenbelt and very special circumstances for development have not been presented, it is very close to the Hampton in Arden Conservation Area and will materially affect its character, the need for the MSA in this location has not been proven, the MSA is not in the Solihull Local Plan, its construction will result in the loss of high quality agricultural land, there is no justifiable need for the hotel and conference centre which is part of the development, the site is on a section of motorway that has four lane running and very frequent congestion so safety would be compromised, the MSA site is too close to two motorway junctions and junction separation would be less than national recommendation, it is a premature decision as there are improvements to be made at Junction 6 of the M42 and there are major planned developments in the area such as HS2 and UK Central, previous planning decisions about the proposed MSA were made before the Hopwood MSA was opened, National Planning policy has changed since the public inquiries of 2001/2009 so their determination is not relevant.

Mails or letters should be addressed to Lawrence Osborne (losborne@solihull.gov.uk) at Planning Department, SMBC, Council House, Solihull, B91 3PX.