SOLIHULL Council has struck a development deal with homebuilder to build up to 177 affordable new homes across the borough.
The sustainable new development will be built on the site of the former Simon Digby School in Chelmsley Wood.
The area – located between the Chester Road (A452) and the M6 – was originally earmarked for housing development in the adopted 2013 Solihull Local Plan.
Following a tender process, developer – Vistry Group PLC – has been chosen to deliver the scheme, which will be up to 100 per cent affordable and include two, three, and four-bedroom family homes as well as one-bedroom maisonettes.
Coun Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said: “Appointing Vistry as our development partner for this crucial project is a huge step towards utilising the full potential of the former Simon Digby School site.
“We’ve undertaken a lot of work to set the stage for this and now we can finally crack on with delivering affordable and sustainable homes critical to meeting the borough’s housing needs.
“These 177 homes won’t just be a collection of new houses but a thriving, well integrated new community at the heart of Chelmsley Wood, perfectly positioned to benefit from the economic opportunities associated with the arrival of the HS2 interchange and the rest of the UK Central Hub.”
Coun Mark Parker, cabinet member for housing, said: “Here in Solihull, we’re serious about stepping up to the challenge of building the new homes our residents need while also setting the highest quality threshold for energy efficiency and sustainability.
“Mirroring the fantastic work already underway just up the road in Kingshurst, this scheme will help deliver on both our housing targets and climate change commitments.”
“Once built, the scheme will deliver a biodiversity net gain through key design features such as green landscaping and a dedicated new nature trail.”
Richard Parker, West Midlands Mayor, said: “We have to start building more homes that local people can genuinely afford.
“Working together, including a £3million contribution from the WMCA, all 177 houses on this site are planned to be affordable meaning more homes for all communities across the region.”
Initial feasibility work, concept masterplan development and acquisition of land interests has been managed as part of the council’s UK Central Infrastructure Programme and funded by WMCA.
It is one of over twenty projects building upon the investment and regeneration planned for the borough, supporting further sustainable and inclusive growth.
Vistry will now take the designs to the next stage and carry out a series of consultation activity before submitting their planning application for the scheme later this year.
