A significant step forward has been taken in the development of a multi-million pound low-carbon power network set to heat schools, offices and council buildings in Solihull town centre. The ambitious scheme, which has been years in the making by Solihull Council, aims to provide "low carbon" heating and electricity to various sites including schools, colleges and council buildings.
The energy hub is planned to be built next to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, with the network extending south to Solihull College and Tudor Grange Academy. Future phases could see Alderbrook School on Blossomfield Road, St Peter's Catholic School and eventually Solihull Hospital powered by the network.
This forms part of Solihull's goal to become a net zero borough by 2041, with the new energy network playing a crucial role in achieving this target. Full planning permission for the energy network was granted in March 2021.
In October 2023, Solihull Council cabinet members agreed to proceed with the £18.7 million project, funded through a combination of a £9.6 million grant and borrowing just over £9 million. As work did not commence within three years of the original planning permission being granted, the application had to be resubmitted and was approved last May.
After a competitive tender process last summer, Solihull Council announced its partnership with Vital Energi Ltd to advance a significant project. However, recent developments have seen a new application for amendments to the planning permission submitted to Solihull Council, reports .
The proposed adjustments include a minor relocation on the Blossomfield Road site due to an "unknown below ground service easement that is parallel to the network rail boundary" that was uncovered.
When the collaboration with Vital Energi Ltd was unveiled last July, Coun Andy Mackiewicz, portfolio holder for climate change and planning, said: "A huge amount of hard work has already gone in to developing this project and with Vital's help we can finally get it over the line and bring the benefit of affordable, reliable low carbon energy to Solihull town centre customers, while contributing to an overall reduction in the borough's carbon emissions.
"The town centre energy network will be the first of its kind in Solihull and will hopefully pave the way for similar projects around the borough."
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