Regeneration of former Powergen site set for go ahead

A £75 million redevelopment of the former Powergen site in Shirley is set to receive the go ahead this week.

The plan will finally signal an end for the John Madin’s office block two decades after it was vacated by staff at the power utility.

Joint venture partnership Shirley Advance, which is behind the nearby Parkgate retail development, is planning to build a 261-unit ExtraCare retirement village.

There would also be an Asda petrol station and 113 new houses by Lioncourt Homes, comprising 57 two-bedroom apartments and 56 houses ranging from two to four bedrooms.

The ExtraCare village is expected to generate 20 full-time jobs, up to 22 part-time jobs and further franchise opportunities within the complex.

Under the scheme, all of the existing buildings on the ten-acre site would be demolished including the old Powergen tower and the redundant multi-storey car park.

Like several of Madin’s buildings, including Central Library and the NatWest Tower in Birmingham city centre, the Powergen block has become surplus to requirements.

Last year, Solihull MP Julian Knight felt urged to wade into a row after campaigners launched a petition to have the building spared the wrecking ball.

The project will be discussed at Solihull Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday (2nd March).

A report by council officers backing the development said: “There is an increasing need to provide more accommodation for older persons and, in particular, for the very dependent.

“This proposal would result in a significant new housing development for Solihull which would help meet the housing and care needs of local older people in the borough.”

The first new homes are due to be ready by the end of 2016, the remainder during 2018 and the ExtraCare retirement village completed in mid-2019.

Read more: http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/commercial-property/former-powergen-site-regeneration-set-10967014