A highly controversial and much maligned retail commercial property development in the West Midlands has received the green light from council bosses, following over a decade of uncertainty.
The £85m Parkgate scheme is set to bring new residential and commercial property to Shirley Town Centre, in Solihull, comprising of an Asda superstore, around 20 new cafes, restaurants and shops and more than 150 new homes.
The scheme has come in for some fierce criticism over the course of its planning process and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council rejected the plans back in December 2010 and February of this year. On both occasions the scheme was rejected following concerns over parking.
This resulted in a public enquiry and as a result of this lengthy and costly process, the Shirley Town Centre scheme has finally been given the go ahead, a full 13 years after the initial application for an Asda superstore was submitted.
Government inspector David Collingford, gave a damning verdict of the councils previous rejections. He said: ‘I consider that the scheme would form an essential element in the long-sought aim to enhance the ‘town centre’ and to foster the vitality and viability of Shirley.’
Robert Birch, of Shirley Advancethe company set up to complete the development, said: ‘This scheme will bring much needed investment and new facilities to the town…The arrival of Parkgate in Shirley will arrest the ongoing decline in the town centre and will protect Shirley from further damaging out of town retail development in the future.’ Adding, ‘in addition, the delivery of Parkgate will also undoubtedly act as a catalyst for further investment in the area ‘
Despite the decision from the independent body, there remains some skepticism regarding the impact the commercial property development will have on the area. With Solihull MP, Lorely Burt saying: ‘I’m very worried about the impact on small businesses and the traffic chaos that could ensue.’
