West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has pledged that Solihull town centre will continue to have a dedicated police station despite plans to demolish the existing Homer Road facility. The current station, deemed outdated and unsuitable for modern policing, is set to be replaced by a five-storey office building following a planning application submitted to Solihull Council.
Commissioner Foster emphasized that community policing remains a top priority. He assured the public that a permanent, accessible police station will remain at the heart of Solihull, serving as a base for neighbourhood policing teams and providing a point of contact for residents to report crimes and engage with officers.
“The building at Homer Road is a legacy of the past – costly, inefficient, and no longer fit for purpose," Foster stated. “Our goal is to reallocate resources from maintaining this outdated building towards protecting officer numbers and enhancing public safety.”
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Plans include relocating officers and staff to a new, centrally located police station with public access. Negotiations are currently underway with Solihull Council to finalize a long-term agreement for a new site, which promises to maximize public funds and utilize council-owned properties effectively. Additionally, the police property on Winchcombe Road will be refurbished to serve as a response policing base.
Council leader Karen Grinsell confirmed that advanced discussions are ongoing to secure a central town centre location for the police’s public contact office and neighbourhood teams.
This development follows an eight-year campaign and previous approval in 2023 to sell the Homer Road station, initiated under former Commissioner David Jamieson, aimed at saving the force £5 million. Despite significant opposition from campaigners—including over 1,000 petition signatures—the demolition plans are moving forward.
The proposed five-storey commercial office building, which includes an 8,937 sqm office space and a multi-storey car park with 273 spaces, is being developed by Opus Land. Public consultation on the proposal is currently open as part of the planning process.