High-quality homes for Knowle

The site lies on the eastern edge of Knowle, bounded by Kenilworth Road, Kixley Lane and the Grand Union Canal, and sits adjacent to Knowle Primary School.

The site is currently arable land.

In 2019, this site was identified by Solihull Council as an ‘amber’ option, defined as being a ‘less harmful site’. The Council’s conclusion was that the site is well contained with clearly defined boundaries and located in a highly accessible location to shops, school and other local services.

Because of this, the Council considered it to be a place where new homes could be sensitively designed, provided that landscape, heritage and green space are central to the proposals. Our approach does exactly that, keeping the northern fields open and strengthening natural boundaries.

The proposals include around 300 new homes, with green spaces, new footpaths and cycle paths and dedicated parking facilities. The development will provide a mix of housing types, including affordable homes, ensuring that first-time buyers, families, and older residents all have access to suitable housing options.

We recognise the importance of ensuring that new development is supported by appropriate infrastructure. As part of the planning process, we will be working closely with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to assess where investment is needed. Potential contributions may include:

• Highways improvements to support the local road network.
• Enhancements to walking and cycling routes to encourage sustainable travel.
• Investment in education, healthcare, and local services to support both existing and new residents.
• Upgrades to utility infrastructure, such as water, drainage and energy networks, to ensure the site is well-served.

Yes. Subject to the requirements of the Council, up to 50% of the homes on the site will be designated as affordable housing. These could include a mix of homes for social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and other low-cost options such as First Homes. The exact type and mix will be agreed in consultation with the council as the plans progress.

We are committed to delivering a development that respects and enhances the natural environment. The proposals will include:

• Retaining and protecting existing habitats wherever possible.
• A biodiversity net gain (BNG) strategy, ensuring that more wildlife-friendly habitats are created than currently exist on the site.
• New green spaces and landscaping to improve the local environment.
• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to manage surface water and reduce flood risk.

We are committed to open and transparent engagement with the community. You can share your thoughts through our online survey and interactive map, which let you comment directly on different parts of the site, from new walking routes and green spaces to ideas for how the green spaces could best be used.

The project is still in its early stages, with an outline planning application expected to be submitted in March 2026. This will establish the overall principles for the development but won’t include detailed designs for individual buildings.

If outline planning permission is granted, there will be further opportunities for community input as part of a future reserved matters application. This will set out the precise details of the plans, including detailed design. Construction would only begin once those later approvals are in place.

The construction timeline will depend on the final approved plans and will depend on Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s timescales for determination. Development is likely to take place over a number of years. Construction would only begin once those later approvals are in place.

The proposals will deliver a range of economic, social, and environmental benefits, including:

• High-quality new homes, including affordable housing to meet local needs.
• New community park, including biodiversity and green space improvements, ensuring a well-designed and sustainable development.
• Investment in local infrastructure, including transport, education and healthcare.
• New community car park to help reduce congestion around Knowle Primary Academy at busy times, in addition to serving users of the new community park and existing canal towpath.

All vehicles will access the site from Kenilworth Road from a new T-junction that will be built close to the existing field access. Kixley Lane will only be used to access the proposed new community car park, and for a link for emergency vehicles in the rare instance that the Kenilworth Road access is blocked. Pedestrian and cycle access will be provided from both Kenilworth Road and from various points along Kixley Lane.

Established for over 20 years, Richborough is at the forefront of the UK’s strategic land promotion industry. We use a responsible approach to design and secure planning permission for high quality residential and commercial developments.

Our approach ensures that our masterplans and design legacies can be easily delivered by developers, enhance communities for generations to come.