PLANS to develop the Arden Cross site in Solihull are being hatched by new company Arden Cross Limited company (ACL).
ACL has appointed Waheed Nazir, Birmingham City Council’s director of planning and regeneration, as chairman to turn the area surrounding the HS2 Interchange station into a ‘sustainable mixed-used destination’.
Located at the heart of UK Central, Arden Cross sits alongside Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover.
The Interchange Station is said to be the centrepiece for the future development providing direct access to London and regional centres across the UK.
Mr Nazir said: “I am delighted to be asked to be chairman of ACL and to be joining at such a pivotal moment in the site’s journey.
“The landowners are focused on creating a legacy and are committing resources to ensure this happens.
“Unlocking this transformational development opportunity will require a truly collaborative approach between the public and private sector and I am looking forward to working closely with Solihull council, Urban Growth Company and West Midlands Combined Authority.”
The opportunity at Arden Cross has been created through collaboration between the key landowners: Packington Estate, Birmingham City Council, and the Digby Estate.
Arden Cross is a part of UK Central, being driven by Solihull council and supported by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), West Midlands Combined Authority and UK Central Government.
Lord Aylesford from Packington Estate, representing the landowners, said: “This is a significant step in the evolution of Arden Cross.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with regional stakeholders including Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Urban Growth Company, which is tasked with ensuring the realisation of changes to the HS2 hybrid bill, which in turn will help unlock the growth potential of the site.
“We are extremely confident that the project will proceed at pace under the leadership of Waheed Nazir who, brings with him a fantastic track record of delivering major transformational projects, alongside his commercial acumen.”
Ben Gray, who will continue in his role as project director at Arden Cross Consortuim, said: “The intention for Arden Cross has always been to deliver a world class development with the HS2 Interchange Station at its heart and we are a step closer to delivering that ambition.”
