New HS2 Interchange station gets green light
THE new HS2 Interchange station in Solihull has been given the go-ahead by borough planners – but work is still ongoing to address parking provision at the site.
The station will be built on land 1.2 miles east of Birmingham Airport next to the M42 and be connected to the airport, NEC campus and Birmingham International station via a people mover.
Three separate applications related to Interchange were approved at the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s planning committee.
The design includes green features such as renewable technologies, natural ventilation, harvested rainwater and solar energy to cut carbon. A surface level car park with more than 7,200 spaces was included as part of the planning approval but stakeholders in the project are now working on alternative proposals, most likely multi-storey car parks, in order to free up development land. Jonathan Bretherton is managing director of the Urban Growth Company which is leading investment into Solihull including on the back of HS2.
He said: “Much work has gone into making Interchange world-leading in terms of environmental sustainability so it’s really pleasing to see that pay off with these approvals.
“Regarding the surface car parking, we understand that HS2 needed to make this application in order to meet the tight delivery programme following the official ‘notice to proceed’ earlier this year. However, for a number of months, we’ve had a partnership in place progressing an alternative solution in the shape of multi-storey car parks.
“All the parties involved understand and agree this alternative is the preferred way forward because it frees up prized development land that will deliver jobs, homes and growth.”
Interchange will be one of four stations serving the first phase of the high-speed rail line between Birmingham and London which is due to begin operations in the late 2020s. The others will be in Euston and Old Oak Common in London and Curzon Street in Birmingham city centre which was approved in April.
Interchange forms part of wider regeneration plans for 340 acres of land which include up to 3,000 new homes and six million sq ft of commercial space in a scheme known as Arden Cross.
HS2’s stations director Matthew Botelle added: “We’re extremely pleased to receive approval for the design of Interchange station which will be net zero carbon in operation and adopts the latest eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies.
“The operation of our stations will play a key role in the UK’s fight against climate change and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Our architects and engineers have worked together with landscape architects, soil scientists, ecologists and water specialists to develop a truly unique, landscape-led, contextual proposition.”
A contractor to build the station is due to be appointed in 2022 with work starting on site in 2024.