There are a few reasons for me posting about this, especially as the town centre is not in Blythe ward. I have though stated before that the importance of the town centre to Solihull’s economy means it reflects on all the wards in the borough. It is also important to highlight the numbers of projected new homes (mainly apartments) this town centre can deliver – almost 2,000 from the two sites mentioned below.
‘Therefore, together with the Arden Cross projections (see previous post), some 5,000 from our stated housing numbers could be delivered through the town centre and Arden Cross developments, alleviating the pressure on the green belt.‘
The two sites that are more relevant to the town centre are CFS/24/167 and CFS/24/190 (see map below):
CFS/24/167 relates to the town centre, including Mell Square. The site is wholly within the ownership of Solihull Council and is projected to deliver some 1400 homes, together with commercial, leisure, retail and community facilities. A formal planning application is expected this year and more can be found about the fantastic opportunities via the dedicated website: https://www.mellsquaresolihull.co.uk
CFS/24/190 relates to a site we know as ‘Eastgate’ and is also in the ownership of Solihull Council. The preferred use of the site is to be housing, Office, Leisure, Retail, and Community facilities. A further 469 mixed housing can be provided.
Ken Hawkins 
I live just over the border of Solihull and Stratford on Avon (Warks) so would be very pleased if these two sites went ahead as because of our position on Forshaw Heath Road we have noticed a VAST increase in traffic since Blythe Vallet, Tidbury Heights and Lowbrook Lane development have been built as our road is an access to the motorway island and so is very very busy and I don’t think we could take very many more cars going at 50 mph past our gates. We also get a great deal of heavy, big lorries coming off the motorway to ELGC and they seem to be increasing daily. We have lived here for 8 years and have seen an enormous increase in traffic in that time :(((. Our rush hour – at 50mph – occurs now from 6.20 to 9.30 am and 3.00 – 6.30/45 in the evenings 🤬🤬