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West Midlands Mayor Andy Street Backs Bid for Solihull ‘Levelling Up’ Cash

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has thrown his support behind a £12m funding bid that would see Solihull’s Kingshurst community completely transformed.

If successful, the £12m of funding from the Government’s £4.8 billion levelling up fund would help deliver exciting Council plans for the wholesale transformation of Kingshurst village centre.

Mr Street, who grew up in Solihull, said, “I’m so pleased to lend my support to the transformation of the Kingshurst Village Centre site - a scheme which really embodies Levelling Up in action and is hopefully a prime prospect for future funding.

“I commend Solihull Council for their proactive leadership and for rising to this redevelopment challenge in a way that prioritises health and inclusive growth for local residents - keeping a sharp focus on enabling the Kingshurst community to thrive.

“Across the West Midlands, we need to build 215,000 new homes by 2031 and the regeneration of Kingshurst will help us to deliver on this ambitious goal. I look forward to seeing this scheme take shape.”

Detailed planning permission for the ambitious scheme was secured in May this year following consultation with local residents, businesses and stakeholders, including health sector and community partners.

The latest plans for Kingshurst aim to build on the success of previous nearby schemes at Chelmund’s Cross and Smith’s Wood to transform the area by radically redesigning the village centre.

Based on the Kingshurst Masterplan and approved planning application, the new village centre will include 78 homes, a new vicarage for St Barnabas Church, a community, health and wellbeing hub, modern retail space, car parking and new open spaces.

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, added, “The redevelopment of Kingshurst is a once in a generation opportunity to create a high quality, community focused centre at the heart of this important Solihull neighbourhood.”