A SECOND multi-storey car park could be built on land close to Solihull’s future HS2 Interchange station, revised plans have revealed.
The proposals were tabled on Monday (July 11) in the same week Laing O’Rourke were named the chosen developers for the Borough’s new £370million station.
Car park bosses at the Urban Growth Company (UGC) unveiled plans for an initial car park and a request for approval for a second site, should it be needed.
The potential new car park will be at the 140-hectare Arden Cross Development site near the NEC and next to the M42 and is part of broader plans to create thousands of new jobs and homes alongside new community spaces.
Initial plans had suggested a vast development of 7,500 surface parking spaces but the new proposal will see a multi-storey car park built, freeing up 30 hectares for other developments next to the station.
If approved, it would support HS2’s opening from 2029 to 2033 and would have around 4,000 parking spaces on nine floors alongside 500 surface-level spaces with the two lowest floors below ground level.
If the second car park is deemed a requirement it would have 3,000 spaces, be eight storeys high including one below ground level.
This would be scheduled to coincide with the opening of HS2’s later phases.
Both proposals also take into account the growing need for electric vehicle charging and future automobile developments.
UGC managing director Jonathan Bretherton said: “This application is about so much more than a car park; it’s about what it enables.
“The UGC plans mean that we will enable the creation of a world-class opportunity for new homes and jobs right next to the new Interchange Station and minutes from the existing Birmingham International station and airport when the HS2 people mover opens.
“This application marks incredible progress made by the public and private sector partners we work with, and it wouldn’t be possible without the £50million grant from central government and the £45million loan from the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The applications were submitted as Laing O’Rourke delivery was handed the responsibility of designing and building the new HS2 Solihull interchange station after winning the huge contract.
While bridges over the M42 and A446 have already been built as part of a remodeled road network to create better access to the station, Laing will now take the project forward.
Design firm Arup’s award-winning eco-friendly layout for the new station will maximise natural daylight with a roof designed to capture and reuse rainwater.
HS2 stations director Lee Holmes said: “It’s fantastic to have Laing O’Rourke ready to build our new HS2 station in Solihull at the heart of the HS2 network.
“We now look forward to starting the next phase of design before construction starts next year.”
