Meriden Gap

The Meriden Gap is a mostly rural area located in the West Midlands between Solihull and Coventry. It serves as a part of the wider West Midlands Green Belt, and separates the latter from the large West Midlands conurbation, which includes Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The 'Gap' takes its name from the village central to the area, Meriden, although the largest settlement is Balsall Common. The highest point lies at 181m / 594 ft above sea level, slightly north of the hamlet of Eaves Green near the West Midlands-Warwickshire border.

The majority of the gap falls within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull with a small area falling within Warwickshire and some of the northeastern part being in the City of Coventry. Other villages and hamlets within the gap include Hampton-in-Arden, Berkswell, Barston, Temple Balsall, Eastcote, Bradnocks Marsh, Millison's Wood, Eaves Green, Four Oaks, Fen End, Pickford Green and Corley Moor.

The gap is largely covered by the Meriden parliamentary constituency.

Urban pressure

The area is under pressure from housing and business developments in the surrounding urban areas.

The planned expansion[1] of Birmingham Airport outlines the need for construction upon the greenbelt to allow the expansion to happen. Despite opposition[2] to the expansion plans, the proposal was granted approval. A motorway service area between J3a and J7 on the M42 motorway has been proposed on several occasions.[3]

References
  1. "Master Plan Consultation - Birmingham International Airport". Archived from the original on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2007.
  2. "The Woodland Trust - campaigns - petition against airport expansion". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2007.
  3. "Solihull Services motorway station planned to attract 80,000 vehicles a week - Birmingham Live". 16 July 2015.


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