IT’S BUSINESS as usual in Kingshurst as plans for more demolition get started.
Early site clearance got underway last year when the old clinic building, nearby garage blocks and the former housing office (Solihull Youth Hub building) were teared down.
Now contractors are undertaking some final utility works ahead of the next step which will include the complete demolition of the main body of the existing arcade marking a key project milestone for the scheme.
Works are expected to start from late March lasting through until the end of July.
To minimise disruption to those living and working in Kingshurst, a number of businesses and services previously operating on The Parade have been temporarily relocated so that they can continue to serve the local community throughout the demolition and later construction work.
As part the Council’s commitment to help retain key local shops and services throughout the development period, the opticians, pharmacy and Co-op were all temporarily relocated last year into units which will not be included in the first phase of the redevelopment.
As well as the GP surgery, which is staying put for the time being, one essential service which also isn’t moving just yet is the dentist.
Dentist Dr Shiv Parekh said: “As the Kingshurst regeneration project begins to shape our community we will initially be staying put in our existing location opposite the library. By the time our building is ready for demolition we hope to have moved to the brand new ‘Kingshurst Integrated Health and Community Wellness Hub’ where we will share the building with your local GP, pharmacy and opticians.
“I look forward to working with Solihull Council and the NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) to help feed into the emerging designs and define some of the requirements for this exciting new community building.”
The works will make way for 79 new homes, the majority of which will be social rented housing through Solihull Community Housing (SCH), as well as a new vicarage for St Barnabas Church.
There are also plans for an improved road layout linking the village centre to the surrounding area, as well as open green space and a wide footpath linking Kingshurst Park to the school.
The plans state there would be a creation of shop units and health and community assets including a purpose-built GP surgery, pharmacy, dentist and community space.
