Council owned land and premises
How to find out information about Council owned land and premises including sale of land, plans, purchasing freeholds, fencing and small business units.
The Corporate Land and Property Section deals with the day to day management of the Council's land and property and is also responsible for maintaining the computerised information systems relating to these assets and responding to requests for information from members of the public and outside organisation and agencies.
How can I find out about future sales of Council land and property?
Sales of Council owned land are advertised in one or more of the local/regional newspapers (i. e. The Solihull News; The Solihull Times, The Birmingham Evening Mail and/or the Birmingham Post).
How can I find out if the Council owns a particular property or area of land?
You can submit enquiries online via the Property/Land Enquiry Form attached below if you know the full postal address and postcode of the land or property. Please include your email address if you have one.
We are also able to deal with enquires over the telephone, or in person at the Council House. In some instances we may ask you to provide a plan showing the boundaries of the land or building concerned to assist us in dealing with your enquiry. You can fax or post the plan to us or bring it with you if you decide to come to the Council House to discuss your query. This service is currently provided free of charge.
Can I obtain plans of Council owned land and property?
Single copies of plans are available, free of charge, to members of the public.
Can I obtain a copy of leases or licences relating to Council owned land or property?
It may be possible to provide copies of documents relating to Council land, such as leases or licences, in which you have a personal interest. Our fees for this service will depend upon the size of the document. For further information and assistance please contact the Corporate Land and Property Section by telephone or in writing (See 'Contact Details' below)
How long will it take to respond to a request for information?
In normal circumstances we would expect to deal with a routine request for information within one working day of the receipt of the request. A more complicated enquiry, involving the verification of plans and/or detailed examination of the Council's land and property records, may take a little longer to respond to, but normally no longer than five working days after receipt of the enquiry.
How can I purchase the freehold of my property from the Council?
If you are interested in purchasing the freehold of your property from the Council please complete the on line Land & Property Enquiry form below or contact the Corporate Land and Property Section by telephone or in writing (See 'Contact Details' below)
Further advice and guidance on how to purchase the freehold of your property will be sent to you within 7 days of the receipt of your original application. It should be noted that properties located within the regeneration area of the North of Solihull are currently subject to detailed scrutiny to see if the anticipated regeneration plans could have a bearing on the sale of freeholds in the area.
How can I find out if I am responsible for fencing around my property?
The responsibility for boundary fences will normally be shown on the deeds of your property.
If, at any time in the past, your house has been in the ownership of the Council, our records may show who is responsible for the boundary fences for your property. Any enquiries in this respect can be made by telephone or in writing to the Corporate Land and Property Section (See 'Contact Details' below) or by completing the on line Fencing Around My Property form below.
The lease on my property indicates that I need to obtain the Council's approval for any works on the property. How do I do this and is there a cost involved?
A charge of £47 is payable in advance in respect of any approval(s) required to carry out works on your property.
For further information and assistance please contact the Corporate Land and Property Section by telephone or in writing (See 'Contact Details' below)
How can I find out who owns a private property?
Please contact the Land Registry or call 0207 917 8888 to obtain the relevant enquiry form. NB the Land Registry will be unable to assist you if the land concerned is unregistered, in which case you may wish to make enquiries locally with neighbours. If the land is subject to development proposals the Council's Head of Planning will be able to provide information about recent planning applications received.
Does the Council have any premises available for people starting up in business?
The Council has a policy of supporting the development of new businesses by making premises available on favourable terms
There are both industrial units and office accommodation available in the North and South of the Borough, ranging in size from 19m2 (208 square feet) to 285 m2 (3073 square feet). As the number of properties is limited, the Council policy requires that applicants MUST meet the following criteria:
- They are setting up in business for the first time
- They are resident in the Borough
- They possess the required skills and expertise to succeed
- The business will increase employment of local people
Preference will be given to applicants whose businesses are considered likely to expand fairly rapidly and offer, in the long term, the greatest possibility of further local employment.
Applicants are required to provide references, a business plan and cashflow forecast. These are examined on behalf of the Council by Birmingham and Solihull Business Link who will also interview the applicants to discuss their proposals and make a recommendation to the Council as to the suitability of their application.
For further information please download the Small Business Units Scheme Brochure attached below.
Contact Details
For further information regarding the above please contact the Corporate Land and Property Section.
Telephone: 0121 704 6316
Fax: 0121 704 6707
Email corporatelandandproperty@solihull.gov.uk
Address:
Corporate Land and Property Section
Resources Directorate
PO Box 9
The Council House
Solihull
B91 3QR