A £95MILLION multi-storey car park at the HS2 Interchange Station and Arden Cross has been given the green light by Solihull Council.
The 4,000-space car park will span over nine floors, with two floors below ground and there will be facilities for 400 electric vehicle charging points, as well as connected-autonomous vehicles.
The plans also include a Mobility Hub featuring cycle and scooter hire.
Councillors on the planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the application with Councillor Steve Caudwell calling it a “Win for the area.”
Solihull’s Urban Growth Company (UGC) drew up the plans in with private and public sector bodies in a bid to free up 30 hectares of developable land at the site.
Previous plans saw proposals for 7,500 surface car parking spaces associated at the station but the UGC say the decision to decrease the spaces was taken in conjunction with the Department for Transport.
It added there will an additional 500 surface level parking spaces alongside the multi-storey car park which in the future could be turned into a second, 3,000-space car park if required.
Jonathan Bretherton, managing director at the UGC, said: “This vote to approve is hugely significant in unlocking new jobs, opportunities, and economic growth for the region – it is about so much more than just a car park.
“By freeing up more land for employment use on the Arden Cross site, we are facilitating a greater economic impact for the region.
“This is testament to the public and private sectors working together.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the £50m grant from central government and the £45m loan facility from the West Midlands Combined Authority to make the multistorey car park happen, with the funds subject to confirmation next summer.”
Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council, said: “Maximising the obvious economic and employment benefits of HS2 coming to Solihull is a priority for the Council, but so is protecting and enhancing the distinctive character of our borough.
“Focusing on the efficient development of this key site will not only deliver new homes, jobs and investment but also help to relieve the pressure on other areas of our green belt in Solihull.”
Construction of the car park will be timed to support the opening of HS2 from 2029 to 2033.
