Green light for new shopping centre

A major development project to transform a former shopping precinct in Solihull has been given the go-ahead.

Mercia Real Estate has secured detailed planning consent for the refurbishment and redevelopment of St John’s Way shopping centre in Knowle.

Plans involve refurbishment and upgrade works to the existing shopping centre providing ground floor commercial units with some first-floor storage space.

There will be 28 residential apartments at first floor level and the creation of a second floor to provide 19 residential apartments, additional car parking and the provision of a number of new, secure and covered cycle bays, landscaping and the associated works including demolition of two existing overpasses.

Samuel Clark, CEO of Mercia Real Estate, said: “We are thrilled to have been granted planning consent for Knowle Place. Our extensive investment into this fresh, new development will positively influence the village and the immediate surroundings in addition to providing a beneficial sense of place and a focal point for developing an enhanced sense of community.

He added: “The new development will represent the needs and aspirations of the existing and future local community. We will continue to work closely with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and aim to re-establish and revive the former shopping centre by creating an exciting place to live, shop and meet by investing in the area providing Knowle and the local community with a centre that better reflects the aspirations of its local community.”