Plans for Kingshurst Village Centre redevelopment set to go to consultation

A Planning Brief for Kinghurst Village Centre has been approved by Solihull Council leaders and is now set to go to public consultation.

The Brief outlines the potential scope of proposals for the redevelopment of the village centre.

These plans focus around the existing shopping precinct, at the centre of the Kingshurst community, which is now over 50 years old. Solihull Council said changing retail and residential markets have left the 1960’s units increasingly outdated and the parade looking visibly tired.

Earlier community consultation undertaken in January 2017 generated over 400 responses from local residents and parade users. The feedback from which has been fed into the current proposals.

The draft plans include a flagship anchor store to attract other retailers to the new precinct, at least 100 new homes, a GP surgery and pharmacy and community space.

As well as providing modern housing and improved retail and health amenities, the plan includes proposals for a redesigned layout which will open up the village centre around the parish church and Kingshurst Primary School, creating a vibrant and welcoming focal point for the community.

Planners are hoping to build on the success of similar regeneration projects in the north of the borough at Chelmund’s Cross and Smith’s Wood.

On Thursday, the draft Brief was approved along with a proposal to carry out a four week public consultation exercise. The focus of the consultation is to make sure the planning brief reflects local needs.

Cllr Ian Courts, Cabinet Member for Managed Growth and Deputy Leader, said: “This is an important opportunity to build on the success of our other regeneration schemes in the north of the borough and to ensure that Kingshurst becomes a sustainable, well integrated community that can benefit from its close proximity to the economic opportunities at the airport and the NEC.

“We think the draft planning brief proposals will help deliver on this ambition. However, we want to hear from local residents, and we hope they will get involved with our engagement process.”

Consultation on the latest planning proposals is set to take place between 18 February and 18 March with final proposals expected to go to cabinet in June. There will also be an opportunity for local residents to attend two drop-in sessions which will be taking place at Kingshurst Library on Monday 25 February, 2pm – 5pm and Thursday 7 March 4pm – 8pm.

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/2361/Plans-for-Kingshurst-renewal-get-a-boost-with-Planning-Brief-and-consultation