Solihull sits on the south eastern edge of Birmingham, with green belt countryside wrapping around much of the borough. Tree lined roads, well kept parks and a busy town centre around Touchwood make it a popular place to live. Front gardens and drives are a big part of how homes here look from the street, so owners tend to plan them carefully.
Our base in Redditch is around 25 to 30 minutes away. This page explains what we see in Solihull homes and gardens and the projects people ask for. It also covers local planning points and how to book a free site visit with our own team.
Solihull homes and gardens
Housing across the borough changes a lot from one district to the next. Shirley and Olton have long roads of 1930s semis and bungalows, many with narrow drives and long back gardens. Monkspath and Hillfield came later, with modern family homes on tidier, more compact plots.
Further south, Knowle and Dorridge are known for large detached houses set back behind hedges and mature trees. Dickens Heath and Cheswick Green add newer homes, often with small front gardens and back lawns that were turfed straight onto compacted ground when the houses went up.
Green space is never far away. Tudor Grange Park and Malvern and Brueton Parks sit close to the town centre, while stations at Solihull and Dorridge on the Chiltern line keep the borough popular with commuters heading into Birmingham or London.
What Solihull homeowners ask us for
| Project | Where we see it | What we check first |
|---|---|---|
| Wider drives for two or more cars | 1930s semis in Shirley and Olton | Dropped kerb approval and front garden drainage |
| Statement drives with turning space | Detached homes in Knowle and Dorridge | Base depth and nearby tree roots |
| Patios that drain properly | Newer homes in Dickens Heath and Monkspath | Clay soil and falls away from the house |
| Privacy fencing | Overlooked gardens on newer estates | Post depth and fence height rules |
Many Solihull households run two cars, so extra parking is often the starting point. Behind the house, people usually want a level patio and a lawn that copes with wet winters. Sometimes that means proper drainage under real grass, and sometimes a switch to artificial turf makes more sense.
Ground and planning considerations
Clay soil
Clay is common across much of Solihull. It holds water through winter and shrinks in dry summers, so drives need a deep, well compacted sub base and patios need falls that carry rain away from the house. New build plots often have only a thin layer of topsoil over compacted ground, which is why lawns on newer estates can stay soggy for weeks.
Mature trees and conservation areas
Older parts of the borough have large, established trees, and some are protected by tree preservation orders. Solihull town centre and Knowle both have conservation areas, where changes to frontages may need more thought. We plan excavation around root zones and can suggest permeable surfaces that let water reach the roots.
Planning and highways
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council handles both planning and highways. Front garden paving over five square metres must be permeable, or drain onto a permeable area within the property, unless permission is granted. Dropped kerbs and new vehicle crossings are approved by the council as highway authority. You can read the government guidance on permeable front gardens for the full detail.
Making the most of a Solihull garden
Long gardens behind the 1930s semis in Shirley and Olton work well in zones. A patio beside the house gives everyday seating, with a lawn or play space beyond it. A path down one side keeps feet dry on trips to the shed or the bins.
Larger gardens in Knowle and Dorridge have room for more. A separate seating area further from the house can be placed to catch the evening sun, and low voltage lighting along paths lets you enjoy the garden after dark.
Front gardens that still look green
Turning a front garden into parking does not have to mean losing every plant. A resin bound or block paved drive with a planted border keeps some green at the front of the house. Choosing a permeable surface helps with the drainage rules at the same time.
Resin driveways in Solihull
Resin bound driveways are a strong choice for Solihull homes. Larger houses in Knowle and Dorridge suit a sweeping resin drive that is kind to nearby tree roots, while a resin finish on a 1930s Shirley frontage adds parking and kerb appeal in one go. Because the surface is permeable, it also helps with the front garden drainage rules.
Services we offer in Solihull
For busy family frontages, block paving driveways cope well with daily traffic and can be lifted and relaid in sections if needed. A resin bound driveway suits larger homes in Knowle and Dorridge, giving a smooth, permeable finish that is kind to nearby tree roots. At the back, a porcelain or natural stone patio laid on a full mortar bed gives you a level space for outdoor dining.
Services we offer here
Before you start: a Solihull checklist
- Measure your cars with doors open if you want two side by side
- Check whether your kerb is dropped across the width you need
- Find out whether your home is in a conservation area
- Note any large trees close to where the new drive or patio will go
- Notice where water collects on the lawn after heavy rain
What happens at a site visit
- Measuring up. We measure the frontage or garden and check levels.
- Trees and drainage. We look at nearby trees and where water runs and collects.
- Your plans. We talk about parking and how you want to use the garden.
- Options. We suggest surfaces and layouts that suit your home.
- Your quote. A clear written quote follows, with no obligation.
Why Solihull homeowners choose us
- Based around 25 to 30 minutes away in Redditch
- Our own team on every job, with no subcontractors
- A family run business with a combined 40 years of hands on experience
- Free site visits with honest, practical advice
Getting to Solihull
Solihull is around 15 miles from our base on Greenlands Ave in Redditch, usually 25 to 30 minutes via the A435 and M42. That makes visits and working days straightforward to arrange.
Areas around Solihull we cover
We work across the borough, including Shirley, Olton, Monkspath, Hillfield, Knowle, Dorridge, Bentley Heath, Dickens Heath, Cheswick Green and Hockley Heath.
Closer to our base, we also cover the parish of Wythall and the market town of Henley-in-Arden.
Solihull FAQs
How far are you from Solihull?
Around 15 miles. Our base in Redditch is usually 25 to 30 minutes away via the A435 and M42.
Do you cover Knowle and Dorridge?
Yes. We work across the borough, including Shirley, Olton, Knowle, Dorridge and Dickens Heath.
Can you widen the drive on a 1930s semi?
Often, depending on the width of the frontage and whether the dropped kerb can be extended. We measure up with you before designing anything.
Can you build a drive near mature trees?
Yes. We plan excavation around root zones and can use permeable surfaces that let water reach the roots. Some trees are protected, so it is worth checking with the council first.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway in Solihull?
Not if the surface is permeable or drains onto a permeable area within your property. Otherwise, front gardens over five square metres need permission from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Who approves dropped kerbs in Solihull?
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, as the highway authority.
Do you offer free site visits in Solihull?
Yes. We visit for free and talk through the options before giving you a quote.
Is the work done by your own team?
Yes. Every project is carried out by our own team, with no subcontractors.
Book a free site visit in Solihull
If you are planning a new drive or garden in Solihull, we would be glad to come and talk it through. Call 07368 623683 or request your free site visit.