Solihull Council has reached a major milestone in the regeneration of Kingshurst after Cabinet approved arrangements to accept West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) funding and progress with Phase 2 of the Kingshurst Village Centre regeneration.
The decision clears the way for construction to begin before the end of year on the most significant phase of the regeneration scheme to date, bringing forward a new Community, Health and Retail (CHR) building, six new homes, a new vicarage and associated infrastructure improvements, including a new main road and car parking.
The £23.9 million phase of the project is being delivered through a combination of funding, including an £8 million investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), approved in July, alongside significant investment from Solihull Council and other funding sources. Together, this funding will support the creation of a modern village centre offering healthcare, retail and community services in the heart of Kingshurst.
The new CHR building will bring together GP services, public health provision, a dentist, pharmacy and opticians alongside a library, community spaces, café and Co-op store, creating a vibrant community hub for local residents.
The Cabinet decision also enables the project to move from development into construction, following extensive design, planning, funding and partnership work which has taken place in the background over recent months.
The wider scheme has already delivered award-winning affordable homes and significant improvements to Kingshurst Park, laying the foundations for the next stage of transformation.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, said:
"Today's decision marks a major milestone for Kingshurst and for everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition.
"The regeneration of Kingshurst has always been an ambitious undertaking. By taking a phased approach, we have successfully navigated challenging economic conditions, rising construction costs and other significant headwinds while keeping the project on track and remaining true to our vision for the area.
"A huge amount of progress has been made behind the scenes, although understandably much of that work has not always been visible to residents. This funding and Cabinet approval mean we can now move into construction and people will soon start to see real activity on site.
"Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year and 2027 will be a transformative year for Kingshurst, the year when residents will finally see significant change taking shape in the village centre. This is a major investment in the future of Kingshurst that will benefit generations to come."
This year also marks the 70th anniversary of Kingshurst, making the move into construction on the new village centre a fitting milestone in the community's history.
Councillor Heather Delaney, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio holder for Economy, Business and Skills, said:
"This is the key phase of the scheme and the point at which years of preparation translate into real visible change on the ground.
"Phase 2 will deliver the facilities and services residents have told us they want to see at the heart of their community, while creating a more attractive, accessible and sustainable village centre.
"The progress made since Cabinet last considered the project demonstrates the strength of our partnership working and gives us confidence as we move back into delivery. With construction starting later this year, momentum is building and 2027 promises to be a landmark year for Kingshurst."
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“This scheme shows regeneration done properly. Not only is it providing affordable, energy efficient social housing for dozens of local people, but also the shops, healthcare and leisure facilities they need for a good quality of life.
“There are too many people across our region without a safe, secure home they can genuinely afford.
“My mission is to tackle this housing crisis by kick starting the biggest social homes programme this region has seen in a generation. Projects like Kingshurst Village Centre are exactly how we do that.”