CAMPAIGNERS hopes to save Solihull police have been dashed as plans to demolish the building have been submitted.
This is the latest blow in the eight year long crusade to keep the Homer Road-based station open comes after rumours began to circulate over a sale of the 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.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who owns all West Midlands Police buildings, 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.”
The news will disappoint campaigners including more than 1,000 people who signed a petition to save the station.
Including Meriden and Solihull East MP, Saqib Bhatti, who spoke about the closure in Parliament in an attempt to save it.
Mr Bhatti said: “This is about trust and confidence.
“I understand that discussions are currently taking place between West Midlands Police and local stakeholders regarding a suitable location.
“While these discussions remain ongoing and details cannot yet be made public, it is essential that any future arrangements maintain easy access to policing services for the communities they serve.
“My message to the police and crime commissioner is clear, in Solihull we need more resources, not less. I will not stop fighting for them.“
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.
Mr Foster 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.
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.
