Council planners have given the go-ahead for the building of new alms-houses despite opposition from local villagers.

Applicant Berkswell Charities applied to build 37 new homes on green belt land west of Hob Lane, Burton Green, in January. The scheme went before the Solihull Council’s planning committee at its latest meeting.

The application submitted to the authority said: “Almshouses are the oldest form of social housing in the UK, providing independent living in a safe, community-led environment.

“One of several objectives of Berkswell Charities is the relief of poverty among the inhabitants within the parish of Berkswell and the surrounding area.”

In a public consultation 73 neighbours submitted objections raising issues including a lack of general infrastructure; that the village

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