SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 48
Wakefield, and by subsequent economic appraisal and market analysis undertaken in 2020
by Amion. This is indicating:
There is latent demand for office space in the town centre, especially for ‘headquarter
style’ offices characterised by large floorplates which efficiently serve the operational
requirements of the occupier
There is continued market interest in apartment buildings with well-located
apartments comfortably achieving values which would make the provision of one floor
of basement parking viable, which has the potential to impact on achievable
development densities.
The retail function of the town centre should be strengthened through the introduction
and addition of complementary town centre uses in appropriate places with new
office and residential development playing an important role in increasing visits and
use of the town centre as a whole.
130.
The emerging work is indicating that the level of residential development that can be
accommodated in the town centre is expected to at least match that assumed in the Draft
Local Plan, if not exceed it. For the purposes of the land supply in this plan, the same figure
used in 2016 will be used. When the revised masterplan has been approved, the opportunity
will be taken to update the land supply at that time.
131.
The level and type of development that will be identified for each site will be developed as an
urban design response in the first instance, and then tested through an iterative review which
considered the capacity, deliverability and viability of each site. The emerging evidence base
for the revised masterplan is indicating that in broad terms the sites being considered could
support the level of residential development indicated in mixed and standalone
developments, and that there would be capacity for the retail and office development.
132. A diverse evening
economy can help shape
the attraction of the Town
Centre as a place that is
vibrant and inclusive. The
Council will encourage,
through the development
management process, a
broad age spectrum of
residents into the centre to
enjoy a wide variety of
leisure and entertainment
facilities.
133. The scale of the
changes envisaged for
Solihull Town Centre will
inevitably take some time to realise and will be realised gradually throughout the life of the
plan, and beyond. The timescales within which the opportunity sites are delivered will be
influenced by a range of factors, including land ownership, predicted longevity of existing
uses and market conditions. Sites already in public ownership or currently being considered
for development are likely to come forward in the short term, and will need to be supported
by upgrades to the public realm and connectivity. This will help to create a setting for
investment in large scale developments in the medium to long term, on sites outside public
ownership or with more complex land assembly requirements. There is also the opportunity
to bring forward developments in support of Policy P9 (Mitigating and Adapting to Climate
Change), particularly through district energy and/or heat networks.
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