00:00Plans to redevelop Solihull's Mel Square shopping centre into a new urban village are moving closer
00:06to a formal decision. The multi-million-pound proposals would say the site transformed to
00:12include around 1,600 new homes, 300 hotel rooms and more than 57,000 square metres of non-residential
00:21space, potentially housing shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Three new public areas are also
00:28proposed, designed to host events, outdoor dining, green space and a children's play area.
00:34The application says the development would be delivered in phases, starting with the
00:39clearance and demolition of existing buildings. In a detailed planning report, officers say the
00:45scheme could bring significant public benefits, including regeneration of the town centre,
00:51new housing, economic growth and improved public spaces. However, the same report highlights harm
00:59to Solihull's townscape and heritage assets due to the scale of the development. Officers describe
01:06the recommendation as finely balanced, but conclude the public benefits outweigh the harm, subject to
01:12conditions. Senior council figures have previously described the plans as a once-in-a-generation
01:18opportunity for the town of Solihull. The application is expected to be considered at an upcoming meeting
01:24of the council's planning committee, where councillors will decide whether to grant approval.
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