Solihull: Huge plans for ambitious housing scheme on old Chelmsley Wood school site

The old Simon Digby school site has been intended for development for many years having originally being earmarked for housing development in Solihull Council’s adopted 2013 ‘local plan’. 

Following a tender process, the Vistry Group has now been chosen to be Solihull Council’s developer for the project which is expected to deliver 177 affordable homes. 

It is now expected Vistry will carry out consultations before a planning application is submitted later this year. 

Previously the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported the Green Party had been uneasy another open area was set to disappear highlighting whether more could be done in Chelmsley Wood town centre.

But the Conservative-run authority has always been bullish about the benefits of the scheme saying it was an ideal “opportunity” to create affordable housing in the north of the borough.

In 2021 an aerial concept masterplan of what the site could include was released in a document considered by councillors.

The homes are proposed to be 100 per cent affordable including two, three, and four-bedroom houses as well as one-bedroom maisonettes, reflecting local housing need.  The homes are planned to be sustainable being built from open panel timber frames, and feature heat pumps and solar panels. 

A £2.97m contribution from West Midlands Combined Authority has been made towards the scheme with the eventual occupiers enjoying significant infrastructure improvements including cycle lanes and footpaths. 

What has the council said?

Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council, said: “Appointing Vistry for this crucial project is a huge step towards utilising the full potential of the former Simon Digby School site. 

“We’ve undertaken a lot of work to set the stage for this and now we can finally crack on.

“These 177 homes won’t just be a collection of new houses but a thriving, well integrated new community at the heart of Chelmsley Wood.”

Richard Parker, West Midlands Mayor, said: “We have to start building more homes that local people can genuinely afford.

“Schemes like this one that use low carbon, factory-built homes are revolutionising the housing landscape.” James Warrington, from Vistry, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Solihull Council on this development which will help meet the housing shortage in the area.

“We’re excited to be a part of Solihull’s growth and to be entrusted with the build of these much-needed new homes.”