Solihull Updates

22/03/2025

Have you seen 12-year-old Deandre?

| Have you seen Deandre, aged 12, who’s missing from Birmingham
Deandre was last seen 4pm in Cotteridge, wearing a blue T-Shirt Grey Trousers and black trainers is 4ft 11.

Call 999 if you see Deandre quoting log 3001-220325

22/03/2025

New Cresta Club on 1977 - now Rileys Sports Bar

(Image: Bob Howe).

22/03/2025

Dining out this weekend? 😆👇 Where are you going?🍴🍷

22/03/2025

Who remembers these? 🍫

Mackintosh’s assortments were a popular treat during the , and . They included chocolates, candied fruits and nougat.

22/03/2025

Woods - 1916

22/03/2025

A plan to convert a summerhouse into a three bedroom home, refused by planners, will now be allowed after Government inspectors stepped in.

Applicant Mark Evans originally applied to convert an outbuilding at a property in , , in June last year.

The outbuilding, in the garden of the property, is currently used as a garage, gym and summer house.

In a planning statement included with the original application the applicant said: “The new building is ‘not materially larger than the one it replaces’ as this application is only applying to a change of use - the new use does not change the scale or foot print of the original outbuilding.

“We believe this proposal does not harm the Green Belt, it does not affect the openness, or cause the unrestricted sprawl or cause neighbourhoods to merge.”

In October last year Mark Andrews, ’s head of planning, design and engagement service, wrote in a decision notice the authority was refusing permission.

In the notice the reason given for refusal was: “The proposed development would result in the creation of an isolated new dwelling in the countryside.

“The site is not sustainably located or accessible given its distance from local services, facilities and public transport.”

In a bid to get the decision overturned the applicant launched an appeal in December and inspectors reviewed the case last month, which included a site visit.

Overruling the council inspector Nichola Robinson issued an appeal decision on 19 February which said: “The main issue is whether the proposal is in a suitable location for housing with regard to the council’s spatial strategy and access to services.

“The dwellings on Wood Lane are detached from the nearby settlement of Earlswood.

“There remains a pressing need for housing to address the deficit in the borough.

“The site has reasonable access to facilities in Earlswood, meaning that future occupiers would not necessarily be reliant on the private vehicle without reasonable and genuine alternatives.

“The dwelling would make a small yet meaningful contribution towards the area’s housing supply and there would be benefits to local services following the occupation of the development.

“Given the supply shortfall, the provision of housing to meet the identified need attracts substantial weight in favour of the appeal.”

The appeal decision can be found by searching for appeal APP/Q4625/W/24/3356863 on the inspectorate’s website gov.uk/government/organisations/planning-inspectorate.

Government overrules council and allows summerhouse to become home

22/03/2025

A golf club has been given permission to make further changes to its plans.

Robin Hood Golf Club in , was given permission last year to extend and refurbish the existing balcony area, as well as creating a new enclosed trolley store for safe storage of facilities on site.

Officer Mark Andrews, 's head of planning, design and engagement services, gave full planning permission to the project in January 2024, but the -based club then applied for permission to make amendments to the approved scheme.

The club applied for ground floor double doorways on north west and south east walls to be omitted, the trolley store to be separated into three spaces - each with a single doorway and full height glazing on front/south west elevation, and for the staircases to be altered.

In a letter to the council’s planning department agent Peter Icke, from Gould Singleton Architects, wrote: “We confirm having submitted to you a non material amendment which seeks your approval.

“These proposals consist of alternations to the approved scheme for reasons of maximising the use of the existing space below the balcony and increasing space for potential third-party users and storage facilities.

“The alterations from the original approval consists of an introduction of three glazed frontages looking onto the golf course to subdivide the storage area into three units.

“To the balcony the existing structure is to be retained in full and staircase number one modified.

“There are no other changes to the proposals - the appearance, heights, scale and mass of the proposal remains as approved.”

Architect drawings of the new look were also included in the application submitted in February.

And, on 17 March, Mr Andrews approved the amendments writing: “It is considered that subject to compliance with the conditions attached to the original decision notice, the proposed development would be in accordance with the Solihull Local Plan 2013.”

The decision has now been published on the authority's website which can be found by searching for application PL/2025/00393/NONMC at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/outline-applications.

Robin Hood Golf Club in Olton has been given approval from Solihull planners to make more changes

22/03/2025

Good Morning , have a great weekend!

On there will be sunny spells and variable cloud. Dry at first, scattered thundery showers this afternoon. Light winds. Highs of 16°C & Lows of 8°C

(Image: Terry A. Grove).

22/03/2025

US heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman has died, aged 76.

The two-time champion fought Muhammad Ali in one of the sport's most legendary fights, the 'Rumble in the Jungle'.

He was also known for putting his name to a popular range of electric grills.

A statement on his Instagram account said he died peacefully on Friday "surrounded by loved ones" after an "extraordinary life".

His family called him "a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather" - and said he lived with "unwavering faith, humility, and purpose".

Mike Tyson said on X that his "contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten".

Foreman was considered virtually unbeatable in the famous 1974 fight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ali, 32, was trying to return to the top against his fearsome, undefeated opponent - just 25 at the time.

Despite being a huge underdog, Ali's 'rope-a-dope' tactics of soaking up Foreman's attacks wore out the brutal puncher and he regained the title.

Believed to be one of the most-watched sports events ever, a documentary about the fight, When We Were Kings, won an Oscar in 1996.

Foreman was devastated by the loss, but 20 years later staged his own miraculous comeback - knocking out Michael Moorer to become the oldest-ever heavyweight champion at age 45.

Outside the ring, his transformation from a brooding boxer to a jovial, TV-friendly personality helped make him a fortune with his range of grills in the 1990s.

The boxer known to fans as 'Big George' was born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949.

He and his six siblings were raised by a single mother.

Foreman dropped out of school and got mixed up in street robberies, but left Texas at 16 and was encouraged to direct his energy into boxing.

Just three years later, in his 25th amateur bout, he won gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City

Foreman turned pro and reeled off 37 wins before demolishing the undefeated Joe Frazier in two rounds to become heavyweight champion for the first time in 1973.

Crushed by his shock loss to Ali a few fights later, he took a year off before stepping inside the ring again.

But after a second career defeat in 1977 - and what he described as a near-death experience in the dressing room - he stopped fighting.

He became a born-again Christian and ordained minister. However, 'Big George' was back inside the ropes a decade later.

Trimming down his physique along the way, he won 24 fights in a row before losing on points to Evander Holyfield in 1991.

Foreman wasn't done though - and his long road back was finally complete in Las Vegas three years later.

Wearing the same red shorts from the Ali fight and behind on the scorecards, he knocked out Michael Moorer, 19 years his junior, to win the IBF and WBA titles.

Foreman's 20-year gap between world titles was a record - and he retired for good in 1997 - with a record of 76 wins and five losses.

He was married five times and had five sons - all called George - and seven daughters.

21/03/2025

😳😆

21/03/2025

Moors Foundation are collecting to share across their “wonderful community projects”🐣 Can you help?

🌟 Easter Egg Appeal – Help Us Spread Some Joy! 🐣🍫

Easter is just around the corner, and we’re collecting Easter Eggs to share across our wonderful community projects, including HAF programmes, care homes, and more! 💛

📅 Next Collection Date:
📍 Saturday, 22nd March – Men’s Home Game (sorry for late notice)

We know life can be busy, and not everyone will have time to drop off eggs tomorrow. But don’t worry – we can arrange a collection or you can drop them off at the club!

📅 Other Drop-Off Options:
🏟️ 24th March - 11th April (Weekdays): Main Reception at Damson Park (9AM-5PM)
⚽ 13th April: Women’s Home Game (On Entry to the Game)

📍 Main Reception: Damson Park, Damson Parkway, B91 2PP
📍 Women’s Game: Studley Sports Centre, B80 7BF

Every donation, big or small, will help bring smiles this Easter! If you’d like to arrange a collection, just drop us a message. 📩

Thank you for your kindness – together, we can make Easter extra special! 💛🐰

21/03/2025

Gravy on chips 🍟 Yes 👍 or No 👎

21/03/2025

at Moors Foundation.

21/03/2025

is in town centre until Sunday!

🔥 The Continental Steet Market has arrived in town centre

Expect to find tasty food and crafts from around the world lined up on the High Street and Mill Lane. The market is open 10am - 6pm | Continental Street Market

21/03/2025

Council's ambitions may be stymied by financial constraints, a senior leader has conceded.

SMBC has begun the process of creating a new strategic council plan.

The first phase of consultations on what the priorities should be is underway and the plan was discussed at the latest meeting of the council’s resources and delivering value scrutiny board.

But the issue of finances was raised by councillors and officers given the cash-strapped authority recently had a bid accepted by the Government for emergency help to address a multi-million hole in its finances.

Officer Sarah Barnes, the council’s head of corporate policy, insight and improvement, told councillors the aim was to bring in a new council plan before the meeting of the Full Council scheduled for July.

The officer said: “Clearly we have a lot of work to do over the next four months.

“It (the plan) doesn’t cover every service or ambition we have but it is about providing an overarching story about what the council is and what it is trying to achieve, and the ambitions for the borough that can then run through our strategies and plans.”

She said that from initial feedback of the consultation, respondents had said the themes they most supported were:

* Good quality, regulated services

* Taking action to stop issues arising

* Working with others to develop thriving communities and places

* Addressing inequalities

But the officer added the ambitions had to balance “realism” about the financial position currently faced by the council.

Liberal Democrat councillor Kate Jones said: “The need for financial sustainability - this really needs to be front and centre for the plan because it impacts on every decision that is going to be made.

“It has to underpin all the future steps taken by the council.”

Councillor Ian Courts, leader of the Conservative-run authority, replied: “Yes there is a limit to what we can do, government funding is affecting us all.

“We want the government to say local government needs more - although to be honest it seems to be slipping away from us with defence and other things rather than in our favour.

“Funding is one thing, there are ways you can do things, not everything costs money - the challenges are there, absolutely.”

The leader said consultations with partners, councillors and residents would help inform the work as the plan was developed.

“The proposal is this new plan will build on the borough’s strengths and clearly take action to address the council’s financial situation,” he said.

“We will do this setting our priorities short term, medium term but then we will have a series of borough ambitions in that.

“We will be showing how the council will deliver those priorities and ambitions.”

The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on 10 March.

'There is a limit to what we can do', Solihull Council leader says on new plan

21/03/2025

An ambitious plan for a 32-room hotel at a family-run farm in could move a step closer to becoming a reality.

The application by The Barn at Berryfields to convert an old agricultural barn next door to the farm shop in the site was given the backing of planners in June 2023.

The operations director of the farm, Tom Barber, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that year the idea for the hotel was born out of a need to diversify the business.

“The hotel really feels like a no-brainer,” he said.

“It felt like the most natural step being so close to the NEC and Birmingham Airport.”

The application proposed having the barn converted with lifts located inside, while a spiral staircase intended to look like a feed silo on the outside of the building.

And the hotel is set to create eight full-time jobs as well as two more in the kitchen and bakery to deal with extra demand.

At the time of speaking to the LDRS Mr Barber said he had hoped to begin construction on the hotel could begin in 2023.

Now the applicant has applied to Solihull Council to sign off preparatory conditions which feature in the planning permission agreement to allow construction work to begin.

An application to formally ‘discharge’ conditions four (noise control measures), six (hard and soft landscaping), nine (cycle parking) and 10 (refuse storage) was submitted to the authority on 18 March.

A consultation is underway with a closing date for submissions of 17 April. To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/00553/DIS.

Plan for new hotel near Birmingham Airport moving step closer to becoming reality

21/03/2025

Peter McClean, 43, has been jailed for 6 months for possession of a bladed article in city centre.

21/03/2025

Can you help Police with ANY information?

| Do you know where Jamie Rigg is?

The 28-year-old from is wanted on suspicion of kidnapping.

If you have any information that could help us find him, please contact us via Live Chat on our website https://orlo.uk/UBPEn, 8am to midnight, or call 101, quoting 20/151781/25.