PLANS for the future of the former Powergen site have been submitted to Solihull Council.
Proposals to develop the infamous Shirley site into a retirement ‘village’, new homes and a petrol station have been submitted by Shirley Advance, the company behind the Parkgate development.
If successful, the plans will see the demolition of all existing buildings on the ten-acre site – including the former Powergen tower, which has been derelict for more than 20 years.
In its place, Shirley Advance hope to build an ExtraCare ‘Village’ with 261 apartments for elderly residents, 113 new homes and apartments, and a five pump ASDA petrol station.
The ‘village’ would include a selection of rented and privately owned one and two bedroom apartments with access to a private balcony or shared patio area; health and leisure facilities including a bistro and bar; and an enriched opportunities suite for people who suffer from dementia.
The new two bedroom apartments and two, three or four bedroom homes, which would be delivered by Lioncourt Homes, would also include a number of ‘affordable’ homes as part of the Government’s ‘Help to Buy’ initiative.
including a number of ‘affordable’ homes.
The project website, www.powergenshirley.co.uk, argues the developers had initially considered refurbishing the building, but had later decided it was not ‘appropriate vis a vis the overall opportunity in this location’ nor commercially viable.
It adds: “Hence, we propose its demolition and replacement with a modern and more suitable ‘landmark’ building.”
The final plans are said to have included feedback where possible from public exhibitions in September 2014 and July 2015.
Hoping planning permission will be achieved in early 2015, Shirley Advance anticipate demolition work to commence in Spring 2016, with the first new homes ready by the end of 2016 and the petrol station opening shortly after.
The ExtraCare Retirement Village is expected to be completed by mid-2019.
Welcoming the submission of the plans, Robert Birch from Shirley Advance said: “We’re really pleased with the overwhelming support we’ve had from local people for this project.
“It came as no surprise that the vast majority are keen to see the site cleared as soon as possible and replaced with a scheme that will further enhance and complement the area.
“Whilst it has taken longer than we envisaged, I am also pleased to confirm that Parkgate is now fully let and the latest occupiers will be opening over the next few weeks.”
