Mell Square shopping centre will make way for the massive redevelopment after the plans were approved by Solihull Council planners
Artists impression of the new look Mell Square(Image: Muse)
Solihull planners have backed a multi million pound plan to transform Mell Square shopping centre.
A mix of retail, leisure and public spaces and more than 1,000 new homes could now be delivered over the next decade and beyond.
The scheme went before a special meeting of Solihull Council’s planning committee on February 6.
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At the start of the meeting planning committee chairman Councillor Bob Grinsell said the special meeting was “very important to this borough”.
“Possibly the most important planning meeting that has been seen here for 50 years,” he said.
Mell Square in Solihull town centre as it is now(Image: Emily Chaplin/BirminghamLive)
The scheme, which will be delivered in phases, includes plans for:
- 1,600 new homes – a mix of rental and private sale properties
- 300 hotel rooms
- 57,049 square metres of non-residential space – which could include shops, cafes, bars and restaurants
- Three distinct public areas
The plan is to attract young professionals and families with build-to-rent and affordable homes.
Phase one includes clearance and demolition of all existing buildings on the site, councillors heard.
Speakers raised concerns including over the 15 storey height of planned apartment buildings and a loss of car parking space.
But speakers in favour said the proposal would deliver a range of significant benefits and “breathe new life into this area”.
In the debate the chairman stressed the CGI images were only “indicative” and not necessarily what would be built if approved.
Councillor Sardul Marwa said: “I like it, in the modern world we do need the modern looking buildings.”
Councillor Dave Pinwell said: “It is time to develop Mell Square, we need to have the courage to go ahead and create a town centre fit for the rest of this century.”
And Councillor David Cole said the scheme would reduce pressure on building on the green belt.
When it went to the vote the nine councillors on the committee unanimously gave full planning permission to phase one of the scheme, with outline planning permission granted for the other phases.