New plans for this imposing Victorian mansion in Solihull

Plans to convert one of Solihull’s most historic buildings into a care home have gone back to the drawing board, following the sale of the site last year. Planning permission was previously granted to turn the Grade II-listed Tudor Grange House into a 64-bed facility, alongside 44 assisted living units. But the Blossomfield Road premises…

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‘Driverless’ people mover set to carry thousands to Birmingham Airport

Plans for a people mover which will ferry thousands of travellers an hour between the new HS2 Interchange Station and Birmingham Airport have been unveiled – but it has no driver. The public got its first look at the proposals for the automated transport link last summer and now a planning application has been officially…

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Controversy over Solihull Police Station closure rumbles on

A row over the future of Solihull Police Station shows no signs of dying down, two years after the closure of the current building was confirmed. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson last week briefed borough councillors on the latest plans for the Homer Road site, which was earmarked for the axe in…

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Bottles of urine and human excrement left behind by lorry drivers at Solihull footpath

Disgust has been sparked in Solihull after the discovery of a public footpath being used as a makeshift toilet by long-distance lorry drivers. Volunteers were regularly coming across bottles of urine and even human excrement when clearing up the Radway Road area, in Shirley – a popular stop-off for vehicles. And the team has now…

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M&S to close Solihull store

Marks and Spencer has announced plans to close its Solihull store in Mell Square. The town centre M&S will close next year, following an expansion of the Shirley store at Sears Retail Park. Andy Barber, M&S Head of Region for West Midlands, said: “Shopping habits are changing, so we’re reshaping our store estate to ensure…

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‘Hunt the wheelie bin’ fury as they’re left outside wrong houses in Solihull

Fed-up Solihull residents have complained that refuse crews are often leaving wheelie bins blocking the pavement or outside the wrong house. Criticism about the number of containers left in the middle of walkways in the Lyndon area has prompted calls for council contractors to sharpen up their act. Ward councillor Kathryn Thomas (Lib Dem) had…

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‘Bogey on a Stick’ sculpture could be brought back to life in Chelmsley Wood

Could a sculpture affectionately known as ‘The Bogey on a Stick’ be returning to Chelmsley Wood? A local group is continuing to investigate the possibility of recreating the piece of public art, which was a prominent landmark on the housing estate for several decades. It was eventually removed by the council in 2010, amid concerns…

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Solihull pub boosts funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Neonatal Unit

An iconic West Midlands fundraiser has received the support of a Solihull pub to help raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Neonatal Unit. Danny Ryan MBE, who has successfully raised a total of 3 million pounds for various charities across the West Midlands, was invited to O’Neill’s in Solihull to be presented with their latest…

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Horse scared to death by fireworks had suffered serious injuries in Solihull

A Solihull horse-owner was heartbroken after the animal became so frightened by fireworks it suffered severe injuries and had to be put to sleep. Castle Bromwich councillor Cheryl Buxton-Sait had quoted the tragic case as an example of the immense distress that devices can cause pets and wildlife. Highlighting animal-lovers’ concerns at this week’s Full…

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Man arrested in Solihull on suspicion of terrorism offences

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Solihull today (Friday 7 February) on suspicion of terrorism offences as part of an ongoing investigation. The arrest was carried out at an address in Solihull by West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit detectives and the man is being questioned at a police station in the #WestMidlands. A WMP…

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