Plans for former Powergen site go on show - The Solihull Observer

Plans for former Powergen site go on show

Solihull Editorial 24th Jun, 2015 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

PLANS to redevelop the Shirley Powergen site have been welcomed with caution at a public exhibition.

Shirley Advance, the developer behind Parkgate, revealed plans to build a retirement village and 113 news homes under the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme on the site which has been vacant for the past two decades over the weekend.

More than 300 visitors were able to discuss the proposals with the development team and leave their comments ahead of the application being handed to Solihull Council next month.

Shirley resident Alan Carpenter said: “I have no problems with the plans, I’m glad Powergen is going to be knocked down the quicker it happens the better.”




Solihull MP Julian Knight said it is great to finally see action on Powergen, and he is especially glad that residents are being listened to about what they want to see for the site.

He added: “We all want the best for Shirley, and at the moment it is difficult to encourage shoppers to explore up the Stratford Road when they have to walk past a derelict building to do so.


“With the building of more affordable housing we should see more jobs brought to the area and more people spending money on the Stratford Road – I very much hope these plans go ahead.”

However on Facebook Andy Winnett said: “I think they could of made the site better than building more retirement properties, its all Shirley seems to have built property wise lately, they are everywhere you look.

“Something more suitable would have been something for the community to enjoy rather than housing, the housing will only add to the problems of school places, doctors appointments and similar problems.”

Following the completion of Parkgate and opening of the ASDA store, the site at the junction of Haslucks Green Road and Stratford Road, Shirley Advance agreed to bring forward a masterplan for a predominantly residential scheme.

Speaking to The Observer Robert Birch from Shirley Advance said the application is set to be handed to the Council next month he hopes work will begin at the site in January if the planning committee give them planning permission.

He added: “I am delighted to have got to this stage with the site – it is desperate to be redeveloped as its been empty for over 20 years now.

“It was great to see so many people turn out to the exhibition more than 300 people turned up to the three manned sessions and a lot of the feedback I’ve seen was positive about the plans.”

The plans will remain on display in the library until 5pm on Saturday (June 27) or visit www.powergenshirley.co.uk

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