Kingshurst Outline Planning Application gets the green light

Ambitious plans for the wholesale transformation of Kingshurst Village Centre have cleared the latest hurdle with the approval of an important Outline Planning Application.

Members of Solihull’s Planning Committee decided unanimously last night, to grant approval for the application which sets out the access and overall principles for this much anticipated scheme.

As the final local centre set for regeneration in North Solihull, the Kingshurst plans aim to build on the success of previous schemes at Chelmund’s Cross and Smith’s Wood to transform the area by radically redesigning the village centre. The new centre will offer high standard modern family housing along with a range of local services, amenities and healthcare provision.

The Outline Planning Application, which was submitted alongside an illustrative layout in June, outlines the principles of the development and detail regarding access to the site. It also paves the way for more detailed plans and designs to start being developed.

The community will continue to be involved and have their say on these plans, playing a significant role in helping to finalise the details of layout and appearance of the development as the project progresses to the next phase.

The current illustrative layout contains a number of key features including up to 86 new homes, at least 40% of which will be social rented housing, an improved road layout linking the village centre to the surrounding area, as well as open green space and a wide footpath linking Kingshurst Park to the school and the heart of the development. The plan also shows an anchor convenience shop along with six smaller retail units and health and community assets including a purpose built GP surgery, pharmacy, dentist and community spaces.

Cllr Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council said:

“Another key milestone has been passed with the approval of this planning application and I know just how much work has gone into getting it this far.

“The Outline Planning Application is by no means the final blueprint for the site but it does clearly mark out the principles of the redevelopment. It also confirms the planned access to the site and is a vital next step in supporting the process to acquire all of the land we need to build the new centre.

“Last night’s decision brings us one step closer to our ambition of delivering on a once in a generation opportunity to transform this important village centre, creating a high quality, community focussed centre at the heart of Kingshurst.”

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