PLANS to convert the former Solihull magistrates court building into an Aldi store are being recommended for approval by council officers.
Councillors on the planning committee were tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 31) due to decide whether to follow that recommendation and grant planning permission for the Homer Road site.
Aldi is currently using the building as a training centre.
Council officers have recommended approval subject to a number of conditions.
An officer’s agenda report for councillors states there were 72 letters of support, praising the plans for widening shopping choice, regenerating the site and making the area more accessible for shoppers.
There were three letters of objection which raised concerns over the impact on roads and whether there would be enough on-site parking.
Aldi said the plans have been supported by the community, with over 87 per cent of all pre-application feedback being supportive.
It claims the store could create around 40 new jobs, generate £1million in wages annually and deliver around £5million into the local economy.
There are also plans to create an 81-space car park including disabled and parent-friendly spaces, and a cycle store.
Services at the courthouse were mothballed in 2014. It was formally closed by the Ministry of Justice in 2016.
The closure, alongside four others in the Midlands region, was part of a government move to save cash – Solihull Magistrates Court cost £250,000 to run.
