Planning committee unanimously backed the ambitious multi-million pound proposal for Mell Square including 1,600 homes and 300 hotel rooms despite vocal opposition
CGI concept design for a redeveloped Mell Square in Solihull town centre Muse Developments / Howells Architects)(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Plans that will entirely transform Solihull town centre faced vocal opposition before planners gave their approval.
The ambitious multi-million pound proposal for Mell Square, which has been years in the making, was presented to the Solihull Council planning committee on 6 February.
As previously reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the scheme includes plans for 1,600 new homes, 300 hotel rooms, 57,049 square metres of non-residential space – potentially housing shops, cafes, bars and restaurants – and three distinct public areas.
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However, during the crucial meeting, those against the plans made their views clear, including a packed public gallery.
Former Solihull councillor Nick Stevens said: “These developments seem to come around every 30 years.
“We had Mell Square in the 1960s, Touchwood in the 1990s and now we have this.
“Touchwood was a development we can be proud of in Solihull – it was largely built on an open surface car park. To replace that car park new car parks were provided.
“That contrasts with these plans where two existing car parks are being removed, to be replaced by no new car parking provision.
“It will have huge effects for the town long after many of us have gone – you only get once chance to get this right.”
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Hampton in Arden parish councillor Dave Cuthbert said: “The proposal comprises numerous high rise blocks varying from six to 14 stores in height.
“The buildings have little architectural merit. The multi storey blocks have a negative visual impact on the town’s heritage assets.
“The form of development is more suited to the NEC or Arden Cross sites.
“Solihull Town Centre deserves better.”
Matt Jones, senior director of planning consultations Turley, said: “The purpose of this application is to maintain the importance of this place to the people of Solihull.
“This will be achieved by breathing new life into this area.
“Opportunities like this are incredibly rare.
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
“Projects of this nature inevitably bring change – the redevelopment would bring a range of significant benefits.”
Following his address, Coun Cuthbert voiced frustration at receiving less speaking time, prompting applause from onlookers in the public gallery. However, Councillor Bob Grinsell, the committee’s chairman, maintained he had acted impartially.
Opening the debate, the chairman remarked: “You see a lot of slides of pictures.
“I know that social media has picked up on some of those pictures.
“Those are indicative. The colours may change considerably, we will be considering those at a later stage.
“Just because you see a picture on screen that is not necessarily what the final product will be.”
Councillor Prish Sharma expressed concern, saying: “I love Solihull, there is a special character.
“I think Solihull will lose its character, become faceless, a high rise centre – that is where I am concerned.”
However, Councillor Sardul Marwa expressed his approval: “I like it. In the modern world we need these modern looking buildings.
“I think we need to move this development forward.”
Councillor Dave Pinwell also voiced his support: “Our predecessors were courageous in the face of some bitter opposition in sweeping away the cottages of Drury Lane and other streets to create Mell Square.
“I believe we have to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and have the courage to go ahead with a redevelopment.”
During the vote, all nine committee councillors unanimously approved full planning permission for the scheme’s first phase, whilst granting outline planning permission for subsequent phases.
