Council approves Waitrose negotiations

A COUNCIL boss has given approval to enter discussions with the developer behind a Knowle Waitrose plan to use some of the local authority’s land.

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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council leader Ken Meeson approved opening negotiations with Kimberley Developments over a future legal agreement.

The firm won permission from the council’s planning committee in November for a store on the site of a former bowling green by The Red Lion pub car park.

This is designed to make use of council car parks, which will remain within the local authority’s control. The council has recently moved to charge for parking over three hours.

The plans will see five out of ten council bungalows in St John’s Close demolished and rebuilt in the village to allow for a reconfigured car park, providing 48 extra spaces.

A proposed legal agreement would see the council agree to provide a minimum number of spaces for at least 50 years.

A council report said: “Following grant of planning approval, Kimberley Developments have re-approached the council, as landowner, wishing to open negotiations with a view to entering into a land agreement in order to deliver the approved scheme.”

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