Delight at latest win in homes battle

RESIDENTS fighting ‘one of the worst cases of garden grabbing the borough has ever seen’ say the decision of the family behind the proposals to pull out of a High Court appeal at the last minute was a welcome early Christmas present.

The Dunleavy family has been trying to build nine detached homes and a block of nine flats on land at the rear of houses they own on Widney Manor Road - numbers 114, 114a, 116 and 118.

Their application has already been rejected by Solihull Council and the Government's Planning Inspectorate at appeal - sparking celebrations from neighbours and local residents who had formed the Widney manor Action Group (WMAG) to oppose and fight the controversial scheme.

But the Dunleavy family refused to admit defeat and instructed their legal team to take the case to the High Court for further consideration.

That appeal was due to take place on December 16 but the family pulled out at the last minute - once again promoting celebrations - albeit cautious - from campaigners.

Speaking to The Observer as the news broke a spokesperson for WMAG said: "We are obviously delighted that this case has been dropped and it has certainly added to our Christmas cheer.

"However, there shall always be the worry of this issue rearing its ugly head again in some form or another, and we shall constantly be looking over our shoulder waiting for the next battle."

They added that, despite causing much worry and anxiety, the fight against the garden-grabbing plans had in fact brought the community closer together which had been a positive outcome.

Philip Woodhams, who has been representing the family, said they did not wish to comment.