Waitrose Solihull decision put back

A DECISION on a Waitrose plan for Solihull has been put back, though councillors have expressed general support for the plan.

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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s planning committee deferred a decision on the Home Road plan on Wednesday.

They were minded to approve the applicant but wanted applicants Pipus and Standard Life Investments to re-consider its traffic management proposals.

The single-storey plan to knock down St Catharine’s Court offices and an adjacent building, both in Homer Road, was recommended for approval by a council planning officer.

Three letters were sent to the council opposing the plans, including one from Lendlease representing Touchwood Shopping Centre, and another from West Midlands Police.

This included concerns about queuing and the the “impact on the operation of the John Lewis car parks”.

They said: “There is an abundance of supermarkets both in the centre and at Sainsbury’s Dorridge; Asda at Shirley and Waitrose in Knowle in the pipeline.

“Problems will be caused to drivers on Homer Road, those trying to get to and from work and from traffic entering and leaving Touchwood and John Lewis car parks onto Homer Road .”

Access would be from Homer Road down a new two-way road with a roundabout halfway down.

It would include a warehouse and 198 parking spaces – 12 disabled – over a three-storey car park.

It would create 150 jobs, the firm said, and be open from 7.30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday and bank holidays.

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