Planning permission secured for HS2 Interchange car park

A new £95m multi storey car park (MSCP) is set to be built alongside the HS2 Interchange Station at Arden Cross. The new build was given the go ahead after Solihull Council awarded planning permission.

The build will see up to 30 hectares of land turned into a nine-storey, 4,000 space car park with added space below ground. The plans for the build also feature facilities for 400 electric vehicle charging points and a mobility hub for cycle and scooter hire.

Solihull 's Urban Growth Company (UGC), the strategic delivery vehicle set up to maximise the growth opportunities associated with HS2, drew up the plans in conjunction with private and public sector bodies.

Part of the UGC 's plans for the car park is to help enable the creation of an opportunity for new homes and jobs at Arden Cross.

Located at the £3.2 billion, 140-hectare Arden Cross development adjacent to the M42, NEC and Birmingham Airport, the UGC 's plans consolidate previous proposals for 7,500 surface car parking spaces associated with the Interchange Station.

A recent review of parking provision has identified a potential reduction in the required number of parking spaces for HS2 from the original forecasts published more than ten years ago. The decision to reduce the number of car parking spaces to an initial 4,000 in a sustainable new building has been taken in conjunction with the Department for Transport.

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. ”

Jonathan Bretherton, managing director at the UGC, said: “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. '

Now that the planning permission is in place, the construction of the MSCP will be timed to support the opening of HS2 from 2029-2033.

Vinci, international infrastructure, engineering and construction firm, was announced as the design and build contractor for the project earlier in the year. Additional planning, architectural and landscaping support is being provided by Cundall, Associated Architects and Fira.

Pictured: Artist 's impression of the HS2 Interchange Station MSCP. Credit: Urban Growth Company