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It’s 2020 and business is booming in Solihull with a host of upcoming developments planned this year.
From a much-anticipated food and drink outlet in the town to a boutique hotel – 2020 is set to welcome a sea of construction across the borough.
Last year saw new restaurants opening and work well under way on new homes, so take a look at what’s in store as we wave goodbye to the noughties:
Green’s, Vita and Taste Collective
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
There’s an air of excitement as Mell Square gets ready to welcome three new independent food and drink destinations this month, that will be taking over the former Costa Coffee site.
Green’s is set to be a cocktail bar, Vita will serve delicious cakes and coffee and Taste Collective will serve up cuisine ranging from from fried chicken to vegan dishes – all under a heated, outdoor pergola style seating area.
The partnership is between Mell Square and the operators of gastropub, Tap & Tandoor.
Luxury apartments in Homer Road
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Development on the former HMRC offices in Homer Road is well under way with the third phase of luxury apartments set to go ahead after planning permission was granted by Solihull Council.
The first phase of 30 apartments in Consort House has sold out while 70 apartments at Royal House are currently over 65 per cent sold.
The development by Elevate Property Group, will now see a further 60 apartments which will be built on top of an existing two storey car park.
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Work on the five storey building will start early in the New Year, which will include 32 one bedroom and 28 two bedroom apartments.
David Hofton, sales and marketing director of Elevate Property Group, said: “We are delighted to receive the approval of Solihull planners who recognised the merits of Elevate’s scheme to complete the Princes Gate development.”
Moxy Birmingham NEC hotel
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
A swish new music-themed boutique hotel is set to open at Birmingham’s NEC on January 22.
The 224-bedroom Moxy Birmingham NEC hotel will be filled with nods to the music industry – a reference to the nearby Resorts World arena, which hosts some of the world’s most famous bands and musicians.
The hotel will create 21 new jobs, led by Vicky Glover.
Originally from Bromsgrove, the 36-year-old said: “Travellers will discover something unique at the hotel with phenomenal high-tech features, buzzing social spaces and a real fun vibe to the communal areas and bedrooms.”
Three Moxy Hotels are located in London – at the Excel, Heathrow Airport and Stratford with another in York with three more opening in Southampton, Chester and Bristol.
Westgate, Homer Road
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Work has started to clear land for Solihull Council’s office development in Homer Road.
Plans are before the local authority with a decision likely at the end of January.
If approved, the development would form part of the council’s new town centre masterplan and would see an eight-storey office block close to Touchwood shopping centre and Solihull railway station.
Six houses and mature trees have already been cleared to make way for the construction.
Solihull Council said: “Westgate is a landmark building to send a message of the council’s intent and commitment.
“The Gateway Building provides the first catalyst for future investment and development, it acts as a beacon for the council’s resolve for sustainability.”
New pub in Tidbury Green
Plans for a pub to be built in a quiet Solihull village got the go ahead after councillors heard the area suffered from a ‘lack of facilities.’
Listed farm buildings at Tidbury Green Farm will now be converted by pub chain Brunning and Price after Solihull councillors originally deferred the decision at a September meeting.
Planning officers had advised the application for Tidbury Green Farm should be thrown out, given the impact on the Grade II-listed building and the surrounding green belt.
Historic England had also opposed the alterations to the 17th century site.
The business is expected to create around 40 jobs.
Housing scheme in Shirley
Garages in Shirley will be cleared for a new affordable housing development after the plans got unanimous backing from councillors.
Royal Mail had objected to the Halifax Road scheme, which will sit next to its local sorting office.
The scheme – which is one of several similar developments being brought forward at the borough’s garage sites – was backed by all nine members of the committee.
Care homes and retirement villages
With more than 50,000 over 65s set to be living in Solihull by the middle of the next decade, it’s inevitable that a host of new care homes and retirement villages will be needed.
In the borough there are several schemes set to go ahead in 2020 and beyond including:
Tanworth Court, Shirley – A new dementia care home which includes 60 places, 30 of which are affordable. The eco-friendly premises, which incorporates heat pumps and solar panels, is set to open this month.
Fountains Care Home – Barchester Healthcare will be opening this 80-place facility in the spring. It is based on the former home of Shirley Aquatics, on the Stratford Road.
Solihull Village, Shirley – A retirement development providing 261 one and two-bed apartments. It is being built on the old Powergen site and will be opening in 2021.
Tudor Grange House – Planning permission was granted last year to turn the historic property in Blossomfield Road into a new facility. It will consist of a 64-bed care home and 44 assisted living units. Opening TBC.
Eastcote Park – Cinnamon Care plan to open 30 retirement apartments and 50 en-suite bedrooms on the former Wyevale site, in Barston Lane (date TBC).
Kingshurst Primary School extended
A new block at Kingshurst Primary School in north Solihull is set to be completed by September 2020.
The new building will include three extra classrooms and a new base for the Caterpillars nursery at the site.
The extension would provide space for the pupil roll to increase from 550 to 640 and would form part of the final phase of a project to create 2,400 extra places across ten sites in North Solihull.
