Local Plan Review 2026-2043 Issues and Options Consultation
A Vibrant Economy
- One of the seven ambitions set out in the Council Plan is to ensure “a vibrant economy with increased access to opportunities.” This is supported by the Council’s Economic Strategy (2023-2032).
- The Council Plan provides useful context to this subject area as follows:
“Solihull drives the West Midlands’ economy; we have the highest gross value added (GVA) per head in the West Midlands (£44,613) and the 8th highest outside London.
We have strong foundations to build upon. Solihull remains one of the UK’s strongest performing economies, as well as the gateway for the region. As a Council, we aim to drive the conditions for growth and to address inequalities within the borough. Our ‘UK Central Solihull’ brand promotes Solihull as one of the UK’s best-connected destinations for businesses, leisure and living, and a prime location for new investment.
UK Central focuses on three key areas of economic opportunity across the borough:
UK Central Hub represents a dynamic cluster of economic assets including Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover. At the heart of The Hub, we are proud to host the £3.2bn Arden Cross development, which will support up to 27,000 jobs and up to 3,000 new homes, providing office spaces, cafes and public areas. This will also be complemented by a new Health Tech Campus led by the University of Warwick. Arden Cross will be transformed with the future arrival of the HS2 Interchange Station, which will act as a catalyst for investment, and deliver benefits for all of our communities. As one of the region’s strongest gateway assets, Arden Cross is set to feature prominently in the West Midlands Growth Plan.
Solihull town centre is an established and popular thriving commercial centre with an enviable reputation for the opportunity, connectivity and the lifestyle it offers. We are seeking to enhance the existing retail offer, visitor experience, and nighttime economy through the Solihull Town Centre Masterplan. One of the key projects within the masterplan is the regeneration of Mell Square. In March 2025, our preferred development partner, Muse Places Ltd, submitted a planning application for up to 1,600 homes as part of a new mixed-use neighbourhood which includes shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and public spaces.
North Solihull is strategically located next to the UK Central Hub and has a strong track record for regeneration activity in Solihull. Within this area, we are currently redeveloping Kingshurst village centre to create a high quality, sustainable and well-integrated community with enhanced potential to benefit from the Hub. The first phase of construction comprising of 25 new sustainable social rented homes was successfully completed in September 2024. We are currently moving on to phase two of the development which includes a new community, health and retail hub.”
How Should the Local Plan Put This into Practice?
- The Council is updating its Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) that was last published in 2020. This will provide updated evidence on the need for additional employment land, including for local needs. We are also working with neighbouring authorities in relation to the economic requirements identified through the SDS and supported the completion of the West Midlands Strategic Employment Land Study (2024).
- It is envisaged that the strategy in relation to employment land will build upon the approach to date that has identified the UK Central Hub Area as a key cluster of the Borough’s economic assets. Opportunities will be explored to support the continued success of the major employers in this area including:
- Birmingham Airport
- The National Exhibition Centre
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Arden Cross and the HS2 Interchange
5. How should the Council, through the Local Plan, seek to maximise the benefit these key economic assets make to the Borough? Comment
- The Borough’s economic activity isn’t solely related to these sites and therefore it will be necessary to ensure an appropriate framework is in place, through the plan, to help and encourage other commercial and employment activity throughout the Borough. For instance, other important areas accommodating economic activity includes Blythe Valley Park, Birmingham Business Park, and Solihull Town Centre.
6. How should the Council, through the Local Plan, seek to encourage and plan for other commercial and employment activity across the Borough? Comment
