Solihull Police Station has been saved after council leader Councillor Karen Grinsell announced a new town centre location at The Priory on Church Hill Road, ending a long-running campaign by residents and politicians to prevent the loss of a permanent police presence in the town centre.
New Location Confirmed
At the full council meeting on July 7, Grinsell revealed that the council has worked with West Midlands Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster to secure new premises. The proposal will see the police station move to The Priory, a council-owned site, subject to cabinet approval on July 23, where a report will ask the council to dispose of its lease to the Police and Crime Commissioner.
“Ensuring our residents continue to be able to reach their local police officers in person is a priority for us,” Grinsell said. “So therefore I’m proud and pleased to announce we have been able to work with West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to secure new premises in the heart of the town centre.”
Background of the Campaign
The existing police station on Homer Road is set to be demolished to make way for a five-storey office building. Plans for the 8,937 sqm commercial office with a multi-storey car park providing 273 spaces were lodged by applicant Opus Land and can be viewed under application PL/2026/01091/PPFL. Campaigners have fought the demolition for years, with Reform UK councillors recently launching a petition that gathered more than 800 signatures.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he would “ensure” the town kept a permanent police station, and discussions with the council have been ongoing for weeks.
Reactions from Local Figures
Saqib Bhatti MP called the announcement “wonderful news” and said having a permanent base in Solihull Town Centre is essential. “I committed to saving Solihull Police Station when I was first elected in 2019 and then in 2024. This is not the end though - we need more officers across the borough including in our rurals team and also a front desk to be open in Chelmsley Wood,” he said.
Councillor Samantha Gethen, leader of the Reform UK group, described it as a “fantastic result for the people of Solihull” and thanked residents who signed the petition.
Next Steps
The cabinet meeting on July 23 will determine the final agreement. If approved, the move to The Priory will proceed over the coming months, ensuring Solihull retains a police station in the town centre for the foreseeable future.
