West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says the redevelopment of the Kingshurst Village Centre is a ‘brilliant example’ of Solihull leading the way in clearing up long-standing eyesores.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said: “Across the West Midlands, we are on a mission to rid our region of shabby, run-down, and derelict buildings that tend to act as magnets for graffiti, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to see that, supported by £5.5 million of West Midlands Combined Authority investment, the first part of site clearance and demolition of Kingshurst is moving forward to create new homes, shops and leisure facilities for local people.
“This demolition is another contribution to our ‘brownfield first’ approach and here in Solihull you can see the value of regenerating this kind of site and replacing an eyesore with a brand-new centre for the community.”
With £5.5m backing from the WMCA, Solihull Council has been developing plans for the wholesale transformation and renewal of Kingshurst Village Centre.
At the start of the year Birmingham based contractors, City Demolition were appointed to carry out the first phase of site clearance and demolition works. This early stage work will involve taking down the old clinic building on Colling Walk and nearby garage blocks as well as the demolition of the former housing office (Solihull Youth Hub building) on Church Close once completely vacant.
A phased approach to the overall scheme is being adopted in an effort to minimise disruption to those living and working in Kingshurst while ensuring essential community services can remain open throughout the regeneration.
The current phase of demolition does not include any retail units or residential properties.
A full planning application for the scheme was submitted in November which makes provision for up to 79 new sustainable homes, the majority of which will be social rented housing through Solihull Community Housing (SCH), as well as a new vicarage for St Barnabas’ Church.
Cllr Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council and WMCA portfolio lead for environment, energy and HS2, added: “It’s a fantastic feeling to finally see work getting underway in Kingshurst.
"It’s really important to stress that this is just the first step and that more significant demolition and eventual building works could still be a little way off.
"However, demolition of these tired and underused old buildings will pave the way for the real work to begin on creating a radical high-quality and community-focussed new centre at the heart of Kingshurst, which I know residents are desperate for us to get on with and deliver.”