Projects
North Solihull Regeneration
1,000 acres
8,500 new homes
12,500 retained homes improved
10 primary schools
5 village centres
New health care facilities
Mixed use developments
Local environment and transport improvements
For more information on this project please visit http://www.northsolihull.co.uk
In 2006 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council adopted a Strategic Framework that sought to improve the quality of life in the north of the Borough. The project began a radical transformation in a sustainable way to improve life for everyone in North Solihull in terms of housing choice, health, crime, educational opportunity and employment prospects.
Extensive stakeholder consultation has been a key element of the Inpartnership approach to this project, including engagement with diverse local authority departments; essential service providers and 4,000 local residents. Getting 'buy-in' from all these parties has produced a strong framework that will guide development and regeneration for the next 15 years, and provide funding for large-scale capital investment throughout this period.
The partners on this project are Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Inpartnership Ltd, Bellway PLC and Whitefriars Housing Services Ltd.
The Project is based on the creation of a sustainable community by working in partnership with residents, stakeholders and public bodies to achieve a holistic approach to solving issues in the area. The full scope of the project is set out in the Strategic Framework (the statuatory planning document for the area); in summary it includes interventions to the existing housing stock, opportunities for new house building, new schools, creation of community hubs, improvements to public open spaces and local environment and transport improvements. There will also be a range of community and economic development initiatives to ensure that physical renewal is integrated with improvements to the social and economic well-being of local communities.
The vision of the North Solihull Regeneration Partnership is as follows:
“Our Vision is of a Solihull where there is no gap of inequality and where everyone has equality of access to education, health, employment, housing and other services.”
The vision is supported by a series of Regeneration Principles and Objectives. The Key Principles which will guide regeneration are as follows:
- To improve the quality of life in North Solihull through large scale, holistic regeneration over the next 15–20 years.
- To deliver regeneration that the communities of North Solihull are involved in and committed to.
- To create high quality neighbourhoods, each with a distinctive sense of place.
- To create healthy, safe communities where all have equality of access.
- To increase prosperity through improved education, training, employment and transport.
- To deliver sustainable development in order that the quality of life of present and future generations is protected and enhanced
In addition to this vision for North Solihull the Council has also adopted a ‘Housing Vision’ which this Project will help to deliver, it is as follows:
To ensure Solihull’s housing markets are efficient and effective;
- To ensure Solihull residents live in attractive, clean and safe environments;
- All Solihull residents can access good quality housing services and housing advice; and
- Vulnerable people are supported in the community
Work on this project is very much under way, primarily with the completion Kingshurst Junior and Infant School. The school is now in full operation and the transformation will greatly improve educational opportunity in the area.
The scheme has also achieved a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating in relation to the new schools. The sustainable elements include a ground source heat pump and a sedum roof.
The Partnership won the Best Partnership Award at the National Housebuilders' Federation 2007, an award which praised the collaboration between a private sector developer and a local authority.
Councillor Don Blake said of the project:
"This is a crucial and exciting development improving the quality of life for the residents of North Solihull."