Your Area
On these pages you can find out about how regeneration is affecting each area of North Solihull.
Here is the best place to keep up to date on everything that's going on, what plans we've made and how local people can help shape the plans for the future.
How are you affected by regeneration?
Click on the map to select the area your home or business is in.
Planning regeneration
For the regeneration project to be a success it is important to involve local people at every stage, so they can shape the future of their own neighbourhood.
So far we have planned 3 neighbourhoods Craig Croft, North Arran Way and Kingshurst and Babbs Mill and have developed a masterplan for each area.
Following our review of the strategic framework in 2009 the process for planning a neighbourhood and developing a spatial masterplan is now an approach based on clusters.
For more information about our plans for an area click on the map
The Cole Valley Vision
In Spring 2010 Alan Baxter and John Thompson and Partners (JTP) were appointed by the North Solihull Partnership to work with the local community to develop a new masterplan for the area, which is being referred to as the Cole Valley Vision.
In Summer 2010 we held a Community Planning Event and Community Forum meetings to hear your ideas for a central part of the regeneration area around the Cole Valley. Since then the design team has been developing a masterplan that will guide improvements and change in the area over the next 5 years. We also started to undertake a series of technical studies for the proposals to help inform our recommendations for the Masterplan.
Cole Valley Drop-in Exhibition
We held a public drop-in exhibition on Saturday, 27th October 2012 which was very well attended. We had almost 200 people come to see our masterplan for the Cole Valley, including sites proposed for new housing development, improvements to green space and proposed changes to the Chester Road and Moorend Avenue. All the feedback is now being collated and will be considered when we are designing the sites and greenspace enhancements in the future.
If you didn't get the chance to come to the exhibition, or you would like to comment further on the plans, please click here to view the exhibition material and click here to print out a feedback form. Completed forms can be posted back to us at North Solihull Partnership, Endeavour House, Meriden Drive, Kingshurst B37 6BX or emailed to info@northsolihull.co.uk
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Smith's Wood
The Story So Far
The Strategic Framework was agreed by Solihull Council in February 2005 after consultation with residents in 2004. It sets out how the Partnership intends to improve the physical and social infrastructure of North Solihull through major investment in schools, Village Centres, transport and green space. For more information click here
New approach to planning the regeneration
Following the strategic framework review which was agreed in June 2009 the new way of planning the regeneration is an approach based on clusters. The cluster approach focuses on bringing forward regeneration activities centred around large scale investments such as new schools and villages centres.
Lanchester Cluster
Spatial master planning is the process in which we bring forward the physical regeneration for an area. In the future a spatial master plan for the Lanchester Cluster will be developed alongside the community and stakeholders and everyone within the cluster will have an opportunity to shape the spatial master plan for that area.
Significant investment has already been committed to this cluster:
- The new Lanchester School has opened
- Park Hall School has been redeveloped under the Building Schools for the future (BSF) programme and opened in October 2008
- Over £500, 000 invested into improving Lanchester Park
- Construction of 45 new homes completed on the Oaklands development
Residential Development (Oaklands) and improvements to green space
For more information click here
North Arran Way Cluster
In 2005, we worked with residents to develop a Neighbourhood plan for this area which was approved by the Council in November 2005. In March 2006 we sent local residents a Phasing Plan showing the order in which changes would take place.
In 2009 the North Solihull Partnership had to review its regeneration programme in light of the national economic recession. This resulted in several development sites being removed from the programme.
A number of milestones have been completed in the neighbourhood:
- Neighbourhood Plan approved - 2005
- Phasing Plan approved - 2006
- Planning Application for first housing sites approved – May 2007
- 362 new homes have been built
- Outline Planning Application for Village Centre approved – May 2007
- Smith's Wood Community Primary School completed - Spring 2009
- Demolition of two tower blocks, Nuffield & Worcester - Spring 2010
- New road linking Auckland Drive & Windward Way through to Kingfisher Drive
- Planning Application for phase 1 (office & retail) of Smith's Wood Village Centre approved - July 2011
Residential Developments in North Arran Way - click here
Dove Way Park
Girton House and Gonville Houses have been demolished as part of the regeneration proposals for North Arran Way. The Neighbourhood Plan for the area, which was approved by Solihull Council in October 2005, proposed that a new neighbourhood green space or 'local park' should be created on this site to replace some of the green space that has been lost within the neighbourhood. The site will be cleared by June 2013 ready for the new scheme.
Key elements of the scheme will include new green spaces with areas for informal play & other activities, improved lighting and footpaths linking to the new village centre, a central paved meeting space with seating, new trees, bulbs and shrub planting. Residents have previously been consulted on the proposals and a planning consent was granted on 31st January 2013. Click here to see the proposals. Work will begin in late Summer/Autumn 2013.
This scheme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of a wider plan to improve pedestrian access to the new Smith's Wood Village Centre.
Smith's Wood News
Follow this link http://www.northsolihull.co.uk/people-and-community/smiths-wood-news
Smith's Wood Village Centre
Follow this link http://www.northsolihull.co.uk/village-centres/the-centres/north-arran-way-village-centre
Former Smith's Wood Gym, Arran Way, Smith's Wood – Review of Future Use
There has been much discussion about what is happening with three particular buildings in Smith's Wood. Click here for an update on the current position for each of these.
North Arran Way Neighbourhood Study
As part of the work to complete the regeneration activity in the North Arran Way Neighbourhood the NSP has been working with residents and stakeholders to identify and prioritise a series of Neighbourhood Improvements, which when completed will complement the physical development of new homes, a new primary school and Village Centre.
The Neighbourhood Study was undertaken in July 2010 when residents and stakeholders were asked to identify issues and suggest ideas for potential environments or neighbourhood improvements. Based on this feedback, a 'long list' of potential improvements has been developed.
Phasing and implementation
The implementation of these schemes is likely to take several years. Some schemes may require detailed design work done and/or planning permission, if this is the case further consultation with the local community will take place on the detailed scheme.
For more information about the Neighbourhood improvements please contact us on 0800 389 7997.
Proposed 20mph speed limit – North Arran Way Area
For more information click here
Woodlands Cluster
Significant investment has already been committed to this cluster:
- A newly built Forest Oak & Merstone Special Schools
- A newly built Woodlands Campus
- A newly built Smiths Wood Sports College
- The St John the Baptist Catholic Primary school is located in this area, and it is intended that this school will in the future, combine with St Anthony's Catholic School.
In the future a spatial master plan for the Woodlands cluster will be developed alongside the community and stakeholders and everyone within the cluster will have an opportunity to have their say.
Woodlands Highway Development
After extensive consultation, North Solihull Partnership has been updating the plans for the Woodlands Highway scheme for housing and green space enhancements.
In October 2010 two options were presented to the community to choose from. The preferred approach is a new residential development on the northern section of the greenspace (opposite Kingdom Hall) and significant enchancements to the southern section to create a neighbourhood park.
The North Solihull Partnership will be submitting a planning application for this scheme shortly. Click here for the plan of the green space enhancements.
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Chelmsley Wood
The Story So Far
The Strategic Framework was agreed by Solihull Council in February 2005 after consultation with residents in 2004. It sets out how the Partnership intends to improve the physical and social infrastructure of North Solihull through major investment in schools, Village Centres, transport and green space. For more information click here
New approach to planning the regeneration
Following the strategic framework review which was agreed in June 2009 the new way of planning the regeneration is an approach based on clusters. The cluster approach focuses on bringing forward regeneration activities centred around large scale investments such as new schools and villages centres.
Lowbrook Residential Development Proposals
We held an exhibition at The Loft in Chelmsley Wood Town Centre on Monday 1st October to present our plans for a proposed housing development at the former Lowbrook site, off Winchester Drive. Copies of the proposed development are available click here. To see the landscape & ecology report click here.
We are proposing to build a new residential development of 56 new homes, including 1 and 2 bedroon apartments and 3 and 4 bedroom family houses. The development will also provide enhanced open spaces including new cycle and footpaths to make it easer for people to get to Alcott Wood and Kingshurst Brook. It is proposed that this will be a mixed tenure development with home for private sale and homes for affordable rent (owned by a housing association). To see how the new housing will fit in with the existing housing at Lowbrook click here
We would still like to hear what you think about the proposed design of this new development and feedback forms are available from the Library.
Craig Croft Cluster
In 2005 we worked with residents to develop a Neighbourhood Plan for Craig Croft. This plan was approved by the Council in November 2005. In March 2006 we sent local residents a Phasing Plan showing the order in which changes would take place.
In January 2011 the North Solihull Partnership had to carry out a further review of its regeneration programme due to major cuts in government funding. This resulted in two development sites being removed from the programme.
The Craig Croft cluster includes the area covered by Craig Croft Neighbourhood Plan and the neighbourhoods on either side of it.
Residential developments and improvements to green space
For more information click here.
Craig Croft News
Follow this link http://www.northsolihull.co.uk/people-and-community/craig-croft-news
Craig Croft Neighbourhood Study
For more information click here
Chelmund's Cross Village Centre
Follow this link to find out the latest - http://northsolihull.co.uk/village-centres/the-centres/chelmunds-cross-village-centre
Bosworth Drive Cluster
This area forms part of the longer term plans for regeneration. It includes the area around the shops on Bosworth Drive and the Chelmsley Wood Health Centre on Crabtree Drive. Further details will be available once we begin to consider options for future improvements. In addition, there are plans to build a brand new Fordbridge Community Primary School on the site of the former Bennetts Well Primary School in Crabtree Drive. See Education page for further details.
Alcott Cluster
The overall focus for this cluster is Chelmsley Wood Town Centre but it also includes the new St Anne's primary school
. There are also plans to build a brand new Coleshill Heath Primary School on the site of the former Alcott Hall Primary School. See the Education page for further details. -
Kingshurst and Fordbridge
The Story So Far
The Strategic Framework was agreed by Solihull Council in February 2005 after consultation with residents in 2004. It sets out how the Partnership intends to improve the physical and social infrastructure of North Solihull through major investment in schools, Village Centres, transport and green space. For more information click here
New approach to planning the regeneration
Following the strategic framework review which was agreed in June 2009 the new way of planning the regeneration is an approach based on clusters. The cluster approach focuses on bringing forward regeneration activities centred around large scale investments such as new schools and villages centres.
Kingshurst & Babb's Mill
In 2005, we worked with local people and businesses to develop a Neighbourhood plan for the Kingshurst and Babbs Mill neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhood plan identified the physical regeneration plans for the area which included identifying some properties for demolition and new housing sites.
On the 21st January 2008 the new Primary School in Kingshurst opened, to find out more go to the education page.
In 2009, the North Solihull Partnership had to review its regeneration programme in light of the national economic recession. This resulted in several development sites being removed from the original programme.
Residential developments - click here.