Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment, Solihull District Council

Client: Solihull District Council
Location: Solihull, Birmingham
Discipline(s):

Solihull District is a dynamic and evolving district to the west of Birmingham, with a multitude of industrial estates and business parks, combined with other assets such as the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Birmingham Airport. Crucially, it is also the site of the future HS2 Arden Cross Station. The district has high potential for both business and housing growth.

GL Hearn was appointed by Solihull District Council to review the housing and employment land needs of the Solihull area to 2036/37, taking into account the area’s evolving needs and account ambitious development plans.

Outcome

Employing rigorous modelling techniques, GL Hearn was able to provide relevant and proportionate evidence for both housing need and the amount of land required to meet demand for employment uses over the plan period.

A key element of the report was an analysis of the impact of the provision of housing and employment floorspace at strategic sites near the NEC and HS2 station, making assumptions on commuting patterns tailored to the area.

Also, the report provided advice on the likely impact on economic development from the COVID-19 pandemic, for example looking at revised development timescales at Arden Cross and NEC.

The team were also able to deliver the work within a tight time frame to meet the Council’s Local Plan review programme.