Up to 30 hectares of land will be released for development after Solihull Council awarded planning permission for a £95m multi-storey car park to be built next to the HS2 Interchange Station in the West Midlands.

Solihull’s Urban Growth Company (UGC) drew the plans up, working with private and public sector bodies. The Urban Growth Company is a strategic delivery vehicle established to maximise growth opportunities associated with HS2.

International infrastructure, engineering and construction company Vinci has been developing the detailed design since it was awarded a design and build contract for the car park earlier this year. Cundall, Associated Architects and Fira are providing additional planning, architectural and landscaping support.

The car park will be located at the £3.2 billion, 140-hectare Arden Cross development, which is next to the M42, NEC and Birmingham Airport. These plans build on previous proposals for 7,500 surface car parking spaces associated with the Interchange Station. By freeing up valuable developable land for more commercial development and housing, they will enable wider plans for the area to provide economic and social benefits for both the region and the UK.

With 4,000 spaces over nine floors, including two underground floors, the car park plans feature facilities for 400 charging points for electric and connected-autonomous vehicles, as well as a ‘Mobility Hub’ featuring cycle and scooter hire.

Construction of the car park is scheduled to coincide with the opening of HS2 from 2029-2033.

The number of parking spaces required for HS2 has been reduced from the original forecasts published over ten years ago, partly driven by changes in travel habits, as greater use is being made of public transport, and transport policies both regional and national promote a move away from the car.

Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said: “Serving the new Interchange station and surrounding Arden Cross development, this key piece of infrastructure will help to unlock the potential of the wider UK Central Hub and capitalise on its position as one of the best-connected locations in Europe.

“Maximising the obvious economic and employment benefits of HS2 coming to Solihull is a priority for the Council, but so is protecting and enhancing the distinctive character of our borough. Focusing on the efficient development of this key site will not only deliver new homes, jobs, and investment but also help to relieve the pressure on other areas of our green belt in Solihull.”

Jonathan Bretherton, Managing Director at the UGC, said: “We warmly welcome the council’s decision to support this key part of the development of the new HS2 Interchange Station at Arden Cross.

“This decision is hugely significant in unlocking new jobs, opportunities, and economic growth for the region – it is about so much more than just a car park.  By freeing up more land for employment use on the Arden Cross site, we are facilitating a greater economic impact for the region.

“This approval is testament to the public and private sectors working together. This wouldn’t be possible without the £50m grant from central government and the £45m loan facility from the West Midlands Combined Authority to make the MSCP happen.”