Solihull presses ahead with delayed Kingshurst regen

Construction on a £24m community health and shop building will begin by the end of the year, after Solihull Council voted to move forward with the second phase of the Kingshurst regeneration project.

At a cabinet meeting held last week, the authority voted to accept £8m of West Midlands Combined Authority funding for the project, which will also see six homes, a vicarage and various infrastructure improvements built as part of the latest phase.

Kingshurst was originally developed as a post-war housing estate, intended to house Birmingham’s growing population in the 1960s and 1970s. It became part of Solihull in 1974.

Outline proposals to redevelop Kingshurst’s precinct-style shopping parade were put forward in 2020, while the first 25 homes were completed by Wilmott Dixon under phase one of the scheme in 2024.

The firm has also been appointed to design the second phase of the project.

The 28,000 sq ft 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.

“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,” said Cllr Karen Grinsell, leader of Solihull Council.

“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.

“This is a major investment in the future of Kingshurst that will benefit generations to come.”