The project to revitalise the ageing shopping precinct is still being put together, but is expected to include new shops and medical facilities, a 100 homes and the possible creation of a new “community hub.”
Solihull Council has admitted that it has had to drop a couple of previous proposals because they weren’t commercially viable and many residents have criticised the lack of progress over the past couple of years.
At a meeting late last year, council officer Anne Brereton said that discussions would be held about what sort of project is achievable and the main priorities for the area, with hopes that a new masterplan will be drawn up by the summer.
A planning application would follow once the scheme had been finalised.
In an introduction to the online survey, Solihull Council said: "The need for improvement to and possible redevelopment of the Parade and wider village centre has been recognised as an important part of the wider North Solihull regeneration programme.
"However, to date the only major work to take place in Kingshurst has been the provision of a new primary school whilst the ageing Parade has been largely untouched."
Questions include how often people use the existing facilities, what they like and don't like about the precinct and what sort of changes they would favour.
Interestingly, one of the options still on the table would appear to be to refurbish the existing buildings, rather than press ahead with a wholesale redevelopment. Residents are invited to give their view on whether they would support such a proposal.
If this was the route the council ended up pursuing, it could lead to accusations that the local authority is trying to "water down" the regeneration in light of the struggle to attract funding, although it's important to note that more radical options are also included in the questionnaire.
You can access the survey here, and have until January 19 to respond.
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