A planning application has been submitted to expand Solihull’s Touchwood shopping centre.
The expansion would see the addition of 30 new shops, restaurants and cafés and the creation of a new open street leading from the High Street to a new courtyard.
The plans also include a covered arcade to link Touchwood’s existing Atrium with the new courtyard.
The project has been made possible through a development agreement signed in October between Touchwood’s owners Lend Lease and Solihull Council.
It would see two existing council buildings demolished to make way for the 115,000 sq ft extension, with the council concentrating all its operations in the neighbouring Church Hill House building, its main headquarters.
It plans to use proceeds from the development to fund a complete refurbishment of Church Hill House while a number of other businesses would also be affected and Lend Lease has held discussions with them.
Lend Lease conducted a public consultation ahead of submitting its application and said its plans had received “a very positive response from local residents and other stakeholders”.
More than 800 people visited a public exhibition held over two weekends in March and 274 questionnaires were completed at the exhibition or submitted online.
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Guy Thomas, head of retail asset management at Lend Lease, said: “This is a significant milestone for Touchwood and is the largest investment in the centre since it opened in 2001.
“The extensive consultation has highlighted a very strong level of support for the new shops and restaurants, as well as the planned enhancements to the public realm.
“Responses collected via the consultation questionnaire also revealed the majority of respondents would visit Solihull town centre more frequently to shop or dine as a consequence of the extension, which will help to boost the local economy and make Solihull an even more appealing place to work, shop or visit.”
Lend Lease said it had also taken on board comments made during the consultation, particularly in relation to drop-off arrangements which currently exist.
As a result it is proposing a new location on Homer Road for the drop-off zone currently situated on Manor Square.
It is also proposing a 15-minute grace period to allow disabled and elderly visitors to be dropped off in Touchwood’s carparks, providing easy access to Shopmobility.
Fiona Beaverson, development manager at Lend Lease, said: “We have listened to feedback and revised our proposals in the key areas as a consequence.
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“We are confident the extension would be a very positive addition to Solihull town centre, a sentiment shared with the majority of the community.”
Lend Lease says the scheme forms part of Touchwood’s “natural evolution” and responds to current demands from businesses in a fast-changing retail landscape.
Another key aim is to increase the offer in Solihull’s night-time economy, with around eight new restaurants and cafés set to form part of the expansion.
A decision on the application is expected to be made by Solihull Council this autumn. If successful Lend Lease said it hopes to be on site in 2016 and complete the project in 2018.
It is estimated the expansion of the 650,000 sq ft centre will see the creation of 400 permanent jobs and 500 jobs during its construction.
The scheme would see a new opening on to Solihull High Street, which would involve a number of businesses, including Melvyn Danes estate agency, BB Boutique, Revital Health Shop and Letting Places, forced to move.
The Missoula bar and nightclub would also close as part of the development.