Senior councillors in Solihull have given a crucial green light to the next phase of an ambitious project to regenerate Kingshurst village centre, marking a significant milestone for the long-awaited scheme.
Cabinet Backs Funding for Final Design Stage
At a recent cabinet meeting, members agreed to allocate £340,000 in funding to complete the design stage and prepare a full business case for the project's second phase. This financial commitment allows construction work to begin in 2026. The council's construction partner, Willmott Dixon, has now provided a build cost for this phase, which was discussed privately but is reported to be broadly in line with expectations.
What Phase Two Will Deliver
The second stage of the regeneration is set to be the most transformative element of the entire scheme. The centrepiece will be a new community, health, and retail (CHR) building, described as the "linchpin" of the project. Plans for this facility include:
- Much-needed GP provision and public health services.
- A library and community spaces.
- Retail units, including a community cafe.
- A convenience store operated by the Co-op.
In a new development, it has been proposed that Solihull Community Housing (SCH) will relocate from its current base at Endeavour House into the new building. Phase two will also deliver six new houses and a new vicarage.
A Project Gaining Momentum
The large-scale rejuvenation of central Kingshurst first gained planning approval in April 2022. The first phase saw the completion of 25 social rented homes – a mix of three and four-bedroom properties – on the site of the former Mountfort pub, with residents moving in last year.
Council leader, Councillor Karen Grinsell, acknowledged the "positive progress" and the "lot of good work" that has gone into the project. Councillor Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and lead member for managed growth, stated: "This decision is a significant step forward in creating a thriving, modern village centre for Kingshurst. Stage two, and in particular the delivery of the CHR building, represents by far the most complex element of the overall scheme."
Helen Bielby, the council's project manager, confirmed that while the building's overall size and external facade will remain unchanged, internal modifications will be made to accommodate new tenancies, including SCH.
