Solihull includes the town centre, Shirley, and Bickenhill. About 66.6% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping urban edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for historic streets, industrial heritage, and commuter towns, planning balances residential, commercial, and conversion projects with countryside conservation.
In the last year Solihull decided 1,118 applications which is just above the national average of 980. The approval rate was 94% (marginally above the national average of 88%) and 69% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Solihull performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 66.6% of Solihull is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt surrounding Solihull and Shirley restricts development to protect open countryside and prevent urban sprawl into the West Midlands Green Belt.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
We specialise in resolving complex planning challenges through thoughtful architectural design, turning constrained or difficult sites into successful Planning Permission outcomes. Let’s discuss your project.
Solihull includes the town centre, Shirley, and Bickenhill. About 66.6% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping urban edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for historic streets, industrial heritage, and commuter towns, planning balances residential, commercial, and conversion projects with countryside conservation.
In the last year Solihull decided 1,118 applications which is just above the national average of 980. The approval rate was 94% (marginally above the national average of 88%) and 69% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Solihull performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 66.6% of Solihull is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt surrounding Solihull and Shirley restricts development to protect open countryside and prevent urban sprawl into the West Midlands Green Belt.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
We specialise in resolving complex planning challenges through thoughtful architectural design, turning constrained or difficult sites into successful Planning Permission outcomes. Let’s discuss your project.
