Plans to kick-start construction in Kingshurst with the delivery of 25 new sustainable homes have been given the go ahead.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet have agreed to take forward proposals to start building work at the former Mountfort pub site on Over Green Drive.
Construction at this key site could now get underway as early as August with delivery of 25 new net zero carbon social rented homes. The new properties will be managed by Solihull Community Housing (SCH) on behalf of the Council and will include a mixture of 3 and 4 bedroom family homes as well as 1 bedroom maisonettes in response to local housing need.
These exciting proposals are part of the wider Kingshurst regeneration scheme, already underway, which will see the village centre completely transformed – providing a mix of sustainable housing and modern retail space centred around a brand-new community, health and wellness hub.
Elsewhere in the village centre, the first significant stage of demolition, which includes dismantling the entire body of the main shopping parade, began in March and is progressing steadily. This work is expected to be completed by the end of July just ahead of construction on the Mountfort site.
It has been agreed that the new homes will be built by Willmott Dixon who are already on the ground in Kingshurst delivering pre-construction works and overseeing the current phase of demolition.
This exciting next step will mark a major milestone for the Council-led regeneration scheme and will make a significant initial contribution to the 78 new homes envisioned in the Kingshurst Masterplan.
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said:
“We are now in a position to really kickstart delivery in Kingshurst village centre and crack on with building much needed high quality sustainable new homes. We have already made solid progress with the demolition of the main parade, which itself will make way for further redevelopment. The approach we are taking will allow us to move straight on to the first stage of construction without any break in the delivery programme.
“This is an important first step in delivering on a much wider scheme that will totally transform Kingshurst, while helping to address the current shortfall of affordable housing in Solihull and bring the long vacant former Mountfort pub site back into use.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
“Advancing the regeneration of Kingshurst village centre has been a key priority for me as Mayor – and of course a really important scheme for Solihull as well as the wider region.
“That’s why it’s wonderful to be able to congratulate Solihull Council on their leadership of this project – ensuring suitably sensitive redevelopment of the site, prioritising high quality housing that is both sustainable and affordable, and keeping a clear focus on enabling the Kingshurst community to thrive.
“Right across our region, we’re on track to build 215,000 new homes by 2031 and the regeneration of Kingshurst is helping us to deliver on this ambitious goal. I cannot wait to see this scheme come to life.”