Mell Square development latest as Solihull residents urged to act now over major shopping plans

Residents have been given another chance to have their say on a proposed multi-million pound 'urban village' in Solihull. The ambitious scheme to transform Mell Square shopping centre has progressed this year after the plans, which include new bars, shops and restaurants, were originally revealed in 2023.

Solihull Council originally paid just under £35 million to take control of Mell Square Ltd in April 2021. Muse Places Ltd was later chosen as the preferred development partner for the scheme.

Muse originally said its aim for the site would be to attract new restaurants, bars and retailers to diversify night-time economy; deliver new public spaces and routes that better connect Mell Square to the wider town centre; create a mixed residential neighbourhood attracting new residents including younger people to Solihull and building high-quality, sustainable buildings setting the standard for new developments in the town centre. Earlier this year it was announced an “early design phase” had been reached with a target for the first stage of development to begin in autumn 2025.

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And in the summer people were given the chance to give initial views in an online survey. The developer has revealed Solihull Council’s cabinet gave approval to a development agreement - a contract regulating their relationship - during the section of the meeting held behind closed doors last month.

And now Muse has announced the next stage of public consultations is being launched to gather feedback from residents and businesses. Maggie Grogan, Muse’s managing director, said: “In partnership with Solihull Council we are bringing forward transformative Mell Square proposals that will reinvigorate Mell Square as a destination for living, shopping and socialising.

“This year, we have already held events in Mell Square and carried out an online public survey to gather the views of local people. We’ve attracted a good level of interest highlighting how invested the community is in the future of Mell Square.

“We look forward to having more conversations and receiving feedback on the plans before we submit a planning application next year.” The ‘community conversation’ consultation events run until December 2 and included a virtual event, through the website mellsquaresolihull.co.uk, earlier this week.

Two in person, drop in events are also taking place on November 13 and November 16 in Mell Square.