New Kingshurst Concept Masterplan to be unveiled

Local residents will be able to see the new Concept Masterplan for Kingshurst Village Centre in February as part of public engagement on the scheme before an outline planning application is submitted.

This will mark a major milestone in getting this much anticipated scheme off the ground.

The new high level Masterplan is based on the well-received planning brief which was approved in October following public consultation.

It will transform the current Kingshurst Village Centre enhancing connectivity and improving the public space through the creation of a new ‘High Street’ connecting Gilson Way and Overgreen Drive.

As well as the provision of new high quality family homes, to meet local demand, the Masterplan focusses on putting community healthcare provision at the heart of the village centre with a purpose built GP surgery, dentist and pharmacy. It also makes provision for a number of new retail units anchored around a larger convenience store in the centre.

The proposed layout will link the new health and retail provision with existing community facilities, including Kingshurst Primary School, St Barnabas Church and Kingshurst Park.

Solihull Council is developing the business case required to secure the further funding that will help get the scheme delivered.

Project leaders working on the scheme plan to carry out further engagement with the community on the Masterplan at several sessions to be held in The Space @ Kingshurst during the week commencing 24th February before submitting the planning application.

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council: “We know that for many Kingshurst residents this has felt like a long time coming. Of all the village centres in the north of the borough this is the most complex, due to the mixed use nature and scale of the proposed scheme.

“However, we are absolutely committed to drawing on our experiences from Smiths Wood and Chelmunds Cross to get this right and deliver a scheme that works for everyone.

“We have already been successful in raising around £5 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority to get the project moving.

“I am confident that the business case we are putting together will enable us to fully fund the scheme and I am excited about the potential of this transformative scheme for the community and businesses of Kingshurst.”

Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor and Chair of the WMCA: “One of the biggest challenges we face in the West Midlands is the need to build 215,000 new homes by 2031. This council led development will help us deliver on this while keeping a sharp focus on how we can help enable the Kingshurst community to thrive.

“I’m really encouraged to see proactive councils like Solihull rising to this challenge and doing so in a way that prioritises health and inclusive growth.”

Residents interested in this scheme can sign up to receive regular ‘StayConnected’ email bulletins. Subscribers will automatically receive details of the upcoming engagement sessions which will be published shortly and these will also be advertised in The Space@Kingshurst.

The Kingshurst Village Centre Planning Brief can be viewed here: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/About-the-Council/partnerships/Kingshurst-Village-Centre-Regeneratio