If you own a home in Solihull and you have been wondering whether now is a good time to sell, the answer may depend on more than just interest rates and buyer demand. The Solihull Local Plan Review 2026–2043 is quietly reshaping the planning landscape across the borough, and for homeowners in villages like Balsall Common, Knowle and Dorridge, or growth corridors like Marston Green and Shirley South, the implications for property values are worth understanding clearly.
At Martin & Co Solihull, we believe sellers deserve straightforward, evidence-based guidance – not speculation. So here is what the Local Plan actually means for your home, your street, and your decision to sell.
What is the Solihull Local Plan Review?
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is in the process of updating its Local Plan to cover the period 2026 to 2043. The review sets out where new homes, employment land and infrastructure will be allocated across the borough over the next two decades.
The plan must balance two competing pressures: Solihull’s obligation to meet government-set housing targets and the reality that approximately 60% of the borough is designated Green Belt. That tension is central to understanding how different neighbourhoods may be affected.
The review is expected to allocate thousands of new homes across selected sites, with some Green Belt land released to meet targets. Where those allocations fall – and where they do not – will have a direct bearing on buyer sentiment and long-term values.
Green Belt protection and what it means for premium villages
For homeowners in postcodes like B93 – covering Knowle, Dorridge and the surrounding villages – the local plan review is largely reassuring news. These areas sit within or immediately adjacent to tightly protected Green Belt land, and the plan’s approach has historically prioritised development on previously used land or in identified growth zones rather than in established rural villages.
Why constrained supply supports values in B93
Knowle and Dorridge consistently attract buyers seeking space, good schools and a semi-rural lifestyle within commuting distance of Birmingham. With limited new development permitted in these areas, supply remains constrained – and constrained supply, combined with sustained demand, is one of the most reliable foundations for maintaining or growing property values.
According to Land Registry data from early 2026, average sold prices in B93 continue to sit well above the Solihull borough average, reflecting the premium that buyers attach to these villages. If the Local Plan confirms Green Belt retention around these settlements, that premium is likely to hold.
Balsall Common: a village under the spotlight
Balsall Common is one of the settlements most closely watched in the Local Plan process. Previous iterations of the plan identified land around Balsall Common for significant housing growth, and the 2026–2043 review is expected to revisit this.
For existing homeowners in Balsall Common, this creates a nuanced picture. Increased housing delivery can bring improved infrastructure, better amenities and stronger local economies over time. In the shorter term, however, large-scale allocations can introduce uncertainty that affects buyer confidence – particularly for properties closest to proposed development sites.
If you own a home in Balsall Common, understanding the specific site allocations in your immediate area is essential before making a selling decision. The Martin & Co Solihull team can help you interpret what the plan means at street level.
Growth corridors: opportunity and change in B37 and B92
While premium villages benefit from constrained supply, the picture is different in Solihull’s designated growth areas. Postcodes such as B37 (covering Marston Green, Chelmsley Wood and the area around Birmingham Airport) and B92 (Olton, Elmdon and parts of Shirley) sit within or adjacent to the UK Central Hub corridor – one of the most strategically significant development zones in the West Midlands.
The UK Central Hub corridor
The UK Central Hub encompasses land around the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross, Birmingham Airport, the NEC and associated business and residential zones. Solihull Council has identified this corridor as a major driver of economic growth, and the Local Plan is expected to support significant residential and commercial development here through to 2043.
For homeowners in Marston Green and the wider B37 area, this brings genuine upside potential. Improved connectivity, new employment hubs and rising investor interest can all support property values over the medium term.
That said, the scale and pace of development in growth corridors also mean more new homes entering the market – which can moderate price growth in the short term as supply increases. The net effect on your individual property depends heavily on its location, type and condition.
Shirley South and the B90 corridor
Shirley South, sitting within the B90 postcode, occupies an interesting position in the local plan. It benefits from good transport links into Birmingham and Solihull town centre, a strong local retail offer along Stratford Road, and proximity to well-regarded schools. The area is not identified as a primary growth zone, but it sits close enough to the wider borough’s development activity to benefit from rising demand without the same supply pressures seen in B37.
For sellers in Shirley South, the current market fundamentals are broadly positive. Buyer demand from families and commuters remains consistent, and the Local Plan is unlikely to introduce disruptive change to the immediate area.
What the housing targets mean for the wider market
Solihull Council must demonstrate that it can deliver a sufficient number of new homes to meet government housing targets under the National Planning Policy Framework. Based on the latest ONS household projections and the revised standard method introduced in 2025, Solihull faces a meaningful uplift in its annual housing requirement.
Meeting that requirement within a borough that is 60% Green Belt is genuinely challenging. The likely outcome is a combination of Green Belt releases at selected locations, intensification of development on brownfield sites, and higher-density schemes in and around Solihull town centre and the UK Central corridor.
For the majority of established residential streets across the borough – whether in Solihull town centre itself, Olton, Dorridge or Knowle – this means the fundamental supply constraint that has underpinned values for decades is not going away. The borough simply cannot build its way to an oversupplied market within the plan period.
What this means if you are thinking of selling in 2026
The Solihull Local Plan Review does not change the market overnight – but it does create a context that informed sellers should understand.
If your property sits in a protected or supply-constrained area, the plan broadly supports the conditions that sustain premium values. If you are in or near a growth allocation zone, the picture is more nuanced, and a detailed, up-to-date valuation is especially important.
Timing also matters. Planning uncertainty – even where the eventual outcome is positive – can temporarily affect buyer sentiment while the plan is being examined and adopted. Sellers who act with a clear understanding of the local picture are better placed to achieve the right result.
At Martin & Co Solihull, we combine national reach with genuine local knowledge. We know the difference between a B93 village cottage and a B37 new-build, and we understand how planning context feeds into buyer behaviour and achievable prices.
Get an accurate valuation based on local insight
If the Solihull Local Plan Review has prompted you to think about the value of your home – or whether now is the right time to sell – the best starting point is an accurate, honest valuation from people who know this market in detail.
Martin & Co sell a property every eight minutes across our national network, and our Solihull team brings that experience directly to your doorstep. Whether your home is in Knowle, Balsall Common, Marston Green or Shirley South, we will give you a clear, evidence-based assessment of what your property is worth in the current market – with no obligation and no fuss.
Book a free valuation with Martin & Co Solihull today and take the first step towards your next move with confidence.
You can also contact our Solihull branch directly to speak with a member of our local team. We are here to help you make informed decisions at every stage of your property journey.
