Planning Permission in Solihull
Metropolitan District in West Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Solihull is a metropolitan borough southeast of Birmingham combining affluent suburban areas with extensive Green Belt countryside known as the Meriden Gap. The borough has 20 conservation areas, 384 listed buildings, and is one of the most Green Belt-constrained metropolitan authorities in England. Solihull's character ranges from the prosperous town centre and leafy residential areas to rural villages and the growing UK Central economic hub around the NEC, airport, and HS2 interchange.
The borough's heritage includes medieval villages like Knowle, Hampton-in-Arden, Meriden (traditionally considered the centre of England), and Berkswell. The Solihull town centre conservation area protects the medieval church and surrounding streetscape. The 384 listed buildings include the outstanding Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton (both National Trust). The HS2 Interchange Station at the NEC will transform the UK Central growth area.
Solihull processes approximately 1,500 planning applications annually. The borough faces immense development pressure — the HS2 Interchange, Birmingham Airport expansion, and the UK Central Hub create transformational planning challenges. Meanwhile, the Meriden Gap Green Belt protects the rural character that defines much of the borough. The Solihull Local Plan Review guides this balance.
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What can I build in Solihull?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Solihull outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (20), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Solihull outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (20), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (20), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. Ashleigh Road, Barston, Berkswell), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Solihull outside conservation areas | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Solihull outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Solihull (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Solihull's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Solihull
Permitted development rights in Solihull are heavily constrained by the extensive Green Belt, which covers the majority of the borough outside the urban north. Extensions in the Green Belt must not be disproportionate additions. The 20 conservation areas — particularly in historic villages like Knowle, Hampton-in-Arden, Berkswell, and Meriden — restrict PD rights for external changes. The affluent residential areas often have properties on larger plots, but many are in conservation areas or the Green Belt. The UK Central/HS2 growth area has its own planning framework. Always check designations on the council's planning portal before relying on PD rights.
What Solihull expects from your project
Design expectations in Solihull are high, reflecting the borough's prosperous character. In the conservation area villages, traditional materials and forms are essential — timber frame, brick, tile, and appropriate boundary treatments. New housing developments must create distinctive places with high-quality landscaping. In the Green Belt, any acceptable development must maintain openness. The UK Central growth area aspires to world-class design quality appropriate to this nationally significant economic hub. The council's design policies require thorough context analysis, and Design and Access Statements should demonstrate understanding of local distinctiveness and landscape character.
Local Plan: Solihull Local Plan
The Solihull Local Plan was adopted in December 2020. It provides policies for the metropolitan borough including HS2 at Arden Cross, the expanding Birmingham Airport and business parks in the M42 corridor. Part of the borough lies within the Warwickshire Green Belt.
Emerging / replacement plan
Solihull undertook a Local Plan Review consultation in 2023 in response to the revised NPPF. A full review is being progressed.
94.1% approval rate
Solihull approves 94.1% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in Solihull
20 designated conservation areas
Solihull's 20 conservation areas protect the borough's distinctive mix of medieval villages and suburban character. Knowle is one of the finest conservation areas in the West Midlands, with a medieval High Street, timber-framed Guild House, and the impressive Church of St John the Baptist. Hampton-in-Arden retains its medieval village plan around a fine Norman church. Berkswell has a remarkable Norman church with a unique two-storey crypt. Meriden village green is traditionally the centre of England. The 384 listed buildings include two National Trust properties — Baddesley Clinton (a perfect medieval moated manor) and Packwood House (with its famous yew garden). Development in these areas requires heritage impact assessment.
Article 4 directions in Solihull
3 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Solihull
There are 384 listed buildings in Solihull. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Solihull's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Solihull received 1,227 planning applications and decided 1,197 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 94.1% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Solihull processes approximately 1,500 planning applications per year. The council maintains good performance despite complex Green Belt and heritage constraints. Housing delivery has been managed through the Local Plan Review, with strategic allocations at Blythe Valley and UK Central, alongside Green Belt releases at specific locations. The HS2 Interchange and UK Central Hub generate significant commercial planning activity. The borough's housing values are among the highest in the West Midlands, reflecting the quality of its environment.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Solihull
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Solihull expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Solihull's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Solihull
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Solihull delivered 2,241 homes against a requirement of 2,239 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 100%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Solihull are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Solihull
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Solihull that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Solihull decided 907 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 83.4% is below the national average of 93%, so LDC applications may take longer than the 8-week target. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Solihull
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Solihull's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Solihull must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Solihull.
Pre-application advice in Solihull
Solihull offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £120 for householder; £450 for minor; £900 for major.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Solihull MBC provides pre-application advice from £120 for householder enquiries. Written responses within 28 days. Essential for proposals in the extensive Green Belt, near HS2, or in conservation areas.
Planning fees and timelines in Solihull
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder application | £528 | Single dwelling alterations/extensions. 8-week target. |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | New builds and changes of use. 8-13 week target. |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | Confirm PD rights before starting work. |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | Retrospective confirmation of lawful development. |
| Listed building consent | £0 | No fee. Required for works affecting listed buildings. |
| Prior approval | £120 | For permitted development requiring prior approval. |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | Clear planning conditions post-approval. |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | Minor changes to approved plans. |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Solihull and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Solihull
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Solihull is provided by Solihull Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
In-house building control service covering the Solihull Metropolitan Borough, from the urban north to the rural Meriden Gap.
Solihull planning department
Your building project checklist for Solihull
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Solihull has 20 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Solihull has 3 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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