A site around a new HS2 railway station has been made available to deliver thousands of homes and create new jobs as part of a once-in-a-generation multi-billion pound development. Solihull Council’s leader and the West Midlands Mayor have welcomed the news as the next step for the Arden Cross development.
The huge regeneration of 340 acres of land, just over a mile east of Birmingham Airport, has been in the pipeline for years, with 3.2 billion pounds expected to be invested in the area. The site is ideally located near the NEC campus, the airport, and Birmingham International railway station.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that development land around the HS2 Interchange Station will be available from 2030, following the recent HS2 reset announcement. This means the Arden Cross HealthTech Campus, the exciting first phase of the wider masterplan, can be moved into detailed planning and delivery preparation ahead of land becoming available.
Thousands of jobs will be created at the site, particularly at the campus, with the ambition for it to become a hub for research and development to improve healthcare. The hub would support businesses in developing new digital and AI solutions, positioning the West Midlands as a world leader in the sector.
Arden Cross Ltd, Muse, and the University of Warwick are now set to develop a joint masterplan, engaging with potential partners and occupiers. Council leader Karen Grinsell said: “I’m really pleased we can finally put some timescales on the exciting Arden Cross development. We already know this site will be home to thousands of new homes in a well-connected location. It will also lead to the creation of thousands of good quality jobs. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but this will be great for our economy in Solihull and for the whole of the West Midlands region.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Arden Cross is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create high-paid jobs, grow our cutting-edge businesses, and provide the new homes our people need. This is a prime site, which is why we have invested here. The new Health Tech and Innovation campus will nurture local talent and attract global investment. This fast-growing sector is at the heart of our growth plan, an industry that will bring the good quality, secure jobs of the future.”
Maggie Grogan, managing director at Midlands at Muse, added: “Confirmation of the timescales for land release gives us greater clarity. Arden Cross has the connectivity, scale, and ambition to become one of the UK’s most important regeneration and innovation destinations. By progressing the masterplan now, we can ensure the first phases are ready to come forward from 2030.”
