FAQs

The Rowood Drive Housing Development is a Council-led project to provide affordable new homes on a vacant site at Rowood Drive in Solihull.

The site is one of a package of projects across the borough aimed at utilising Council owned land to accelerate new housing delivery and meet local housing needs. The site’s location, in an existing residential neighbourhood, means that housing is the most appropriate use for it.

Following a series of supporting technical surveys, an illustrative masterplan has been developed for up to 34 new homes on this site to reflect local need. 

Under the current proposals, the site will provide:  

• 4 one-bedroom maisonettes
• 6 two-bedroom maisonettes
• 11 two-bedroom houses 
• 11 three-bedroom houses 
• 2 four-bedroom houses.

Yes. It is currently envisaged that the development will provide 100% affordable housing, comprising a mix of 40% social rented and 60% shared ownership homes.

The following is an indicative timescale for what we hope to achieve on site:

• Pre-planning application public engagement and submission of outline planning application: October 2024
• Outline planning permission secured: Spring 2025
• Appointment of development partner: Autumn 2025
• Reserved matters planning application: Spring 2026
• Start on site: Summer 2026
• Completion and occupation of new homes: Spring 2028

Solihull Council is planning to work in partnership with a registered provider of affordable housing (a housing association) to deliver the project. The housing association will build and manage the new homes.

Initial funding to undertake early design and survey work has been provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). The housing association will fund the construction of the new homes from a range of sources including the Homes England Affordable Homes Programme grant.

Access to the site will be from the existing Rowood Drive. A traffic assessment and plan has been undertaken to ensure that the additional traffic will not impact existing residents.

In addition to providing up to 34 new affordable homes to meet local housing needs, one of the benefits of the scheme is that the Arden Multi-Academy Trust will receive funding for significant improvements to sports facilities at Lode Heath School. The Arden Multi-Academy Trust is committed to widening access to the improved sports facilities for the local community as part of the scheme.
 

We want to keep local residents up to date as this scheme is brought forward. If you would like to receive project updates, please let us know by completing the accompanying survey online on the Rowood Drive Housing Development project page on Your Voice Solihull.