LEADER OF Reform UK in Solihull has launched a borough-wide campaign to save the town’s police station ollowing the submission of plans to demolish the Homer Road building.
Opus Land has put forward an application to demolish the current site and create a five-storey office building with multi storey car parking, landscaping, associated engineering works, gatehouse and access works.
The Observer understands the Homer Road site will be fully vacated of West Midlands Police staff and officers in May 2027.
As part of the campaign, Reform UK Solihull has launched a public petition calling on Solihull Council and West Midlands Police to reject the demolition of the existing police station until a fully operational, town centre police station offering at least the same level of public access and policing capability is guaranteed.
Residents are also being encouraged to visit SaveSolihullPoliceStation.co.uk to sign the petition and support the campaign.
Leader of Reform UK Solihull Coun Samantha Gethen, said: “Solihull deserves a permanent, visible police station at the heart of our town.
“Residents should not be expected to accept the loss of a landmark public building without absolute certainty that policing services will be protected for generations to come.
“People rightly want to see more police on our streets, not fewer visible policing facilities. We are asking residents from across the borough to stand with us by signing our petition and sending a clear message that Solihull’s police station should not disappear without proper guarantees for its replacement.”
The plans to close the station were revealed in 2018 when the former PCC, David Jamieson, approved controversial proposals to sell off the Homer Road station as part of wider plans to save £5million and protect officer jobs across the West Midlands region.
The original date for closure was ‘late 2020’ but this was delayed due to the pandemic.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who owns all West Midlands Police buildings then proposed the Homer Road site would close by autumn 2025.
Both Mr Foster and Mr Jamieson committed to not closing the Solihull station until a location for a new front desk had been found.
Mr Foster said: “This move is not only about finding a new more efficient, cost-effective police station, but also about reinvesting in frontline community policing.
“By disposing of a building that is no longer fit for purpose, I am ensuring taxpayers’ money is directed towards protecting police officer numbers, preventing and tackling crime and keeping our communities safe and secure.
The officers and staff currently in Homer Road will, in due course, be relocating to a new police station with a Public Contact Office even closer to the town centre. We are negotiating heads of terms with Solihull Council on a long-term deal which will be great use of public money and publicly owned buildings for both parties. In addition, we will be reusing the police property in Winchcombe Road as a base for response policing after some minor refurbishments.
“I have kept my pledge to retain a police station in the heart of Solihull town centre as a base for the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and to ensure a public contact office. There will also be a base for response policing. I am grateful to Solihull Council for working with me and West Midlands Police to deliver this for the people of Solihull.”
To have your say on the plans visit Solihull Council’s website and search planning application PL/2026/01091/PPFL
The closing date for submissions is July 9.
