Solihull’s 8.4M SF HS2 development is now on track, following a deal with HS2 Ltd and the award of £9.8M in funding.

The two moves open the way to development of the Arden Cross site and the new HS2 station and transport interchange.

Solihull’s Urban Growth Co. and Solihull Council have reached the basis of an agreement with HS2 Ltd about how the design process will be managed and delivered over the next two years.

Funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority means the design process can now go ahead. This will include a new multi-storey car park next to the station to create a development plot, a new public plaza and future-proofing to allow further development.

The Hub scheme will involve office and industrial floorspace and up to 4,000 new homes.

Some have hailed the site as a potential trailblazer, mixing office and residential use to create new sustainable business parks.

“Interchange Station is one of two state-of-the-art stations that we’re building in the West Midlands, putting this region at the heart of the HS2 network," HS2 Programme Director for the West Midlands Mike Lyons said. "Not only will it boost rail capacity and improve journeys, the station will kick-start thousands of new jobs and homes in the surrounding area. It’s great to be working with local partners to grasp this huge opportunity — contributing to an exciting era of growth and development across the Greater West Midlands."

The Hub is near the M42 and includes Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Business Park and Arden Cross, which will be home to the HS2 Interchange Station from 2026.

The Hub is one of four economic development areas identified by Solihull Council — along with Solihull town centre, North Solihull and Blythe Valley — which are jointly branded as U.K. Central.