Approximately £3m of funding has been secured by Solihull Council from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Land Fund to undergo site infrastructure and enabling works at the Simon Digby site in North Solihull.
Located east of Chester Road (A452) in Chelmsley Wood, the site has been earmarked for development in Solihull’s Local Plan since 2013. Approximately 4.5 ha in size, the plot has the potential to provide around 175 new homes and the project is aiming to achieve 40% affordable housing in line with planning policy for the area and as an important part of Solihull’s Local Plan. The location is extremely well connected with Chelmsley Wood Town Centre and the future HS2 Interchange Station in close proximity.
Significant feasibility work has been undertaken to date in connection with the site and design work is progressing towards an Outline Planning Application and Outline Business Case submission later this year. Previously secured funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority is being utilised to bring these elements forward.
The £3m funding announced today is a further significant boost for the delivery of the scheme and will be used to bring forward the majority of the site infrastructure to include a new access road from the A452 and acoustic mitigation measures.
The proposed development forms part of the Council’s UK Central Solihull programme, which supports sustainable and inclusive growth across the borough.
Councillor Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said:
“The vital funding we have secured from the WMCA will help us unlock the potential this development site offers. There is further design and planning work to be done, but the potential to provide around 175 much needed new homes, many of which will be affordable, is a great opportunity for us. I’d like to thank Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, for supporting us throughout this project.
One of the key aims of the UK Central programme is to support inclusive and sustainable growth. This area of north Solihull has potential to benefit from the significant development proposed at the adjacent UK Central Hub especially the economic benefits associated with the arrival of the HS2 Interchange. Building on the nearby Kingshurst Village Centre Regeneration, we’re committed to creating high quality residential areas that promote a real sense of community”.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“This investment is another great example of the commitment of the WMCA, alongside Solihull Council, to continue delivering new homes and jobs for local people during these challenging times.
“Before coronavirus struck, the West Midlands economy was growing fast, living standards were improving, and there was a rapid expansion in house building. The pandemic has hit us hard, but Simon Digby is just one of many schemes we are backing as part of our wider plans to get our economy back on track and regain our previous momentum.
“Not only does this scheme provide much-needed homes and jobs, but it also helps protect precious greenbelt land, something that I know is critically important to the residents of Solihull.”