Delivery of the 350 acre Arden Cross site in Solihull – one of the UK’s most significant economic development opportunities – has taken a major step forward, with the formation of the Arden Cross Limited company (ACL) and appointment of Waheed Nazir as chairman.
Located at the heart of UK Central, Arden Cross sits alongside key regional economic assets including Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and JLR.
Bounded by the M42, A45 and A452, Arden Cross has unrivalled connectivity which will be boosted by the arrival of HS2 in 2026, with the site identified as the chosen location for the HS2 Birmingham Interchange Station.
The Interchange Station will be the centrepiece for the future development at Arden Cross, providing direct access to London and regional centres across the UK. It is the aspiration of ACL that that the site surrounding the Interchange Station be used to full effect, creating a sustainable mixed-use destination that will create significant legacy for the site as well as major economic development opportunities.
The opportunity at Arden Cross has been created through collaboration between the key landowners: Packington Estate, Birmingham City Council, and the Digby Estate.
Lord Aylesford from Packington Estate, representing the landowners, said: “This is a significant step in the evolution of Arden Cross. We will continue to work collaboratively with regional stakeholders including Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Urban Growth Company, which is tasked with ensuring the realisation of changes to the HS2 hybrid bill, which in turn will help unlock the growth potential of the site.
“We are extremely confident that the project will proceed at pace under the leadership of Waheed Nazir who, brings with him a fantastic track record of delivering major transformational projects, alongside his commercial acumen.”
Waheed Nazir said: “I am delighted to be asked to be chairman of Arden Cross Limited and to be joining at such a pivotal moment in the sites journey. The landowners are focused on creating a legacy and are committing resources to ensure this happens. Unlocking this transformational development opportunity will require a truly collaborative approach between the public and private sector and I am looking forward to working closely with Solihull MBC, UGC and WMCA.”
Ben Gray will continue in his role as project director. He said: “The formation of ACL along with a new delivery strategy is an exciting time for the project. The intention for Arden Cross has always been to deliver a world class development with the HS2 Interchange Station at its heart and we are a step closer to delivering that ambition.”
Arden Cross is a part of UK Central, an economic strategic vision being driven by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and supported by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), West Midlands Combined Authority and UK Central Government.
The realisation of the overarching vision for the Hub – the first focal point of the UK Central strategy, and home to Arden Cross – will be supported by the Urban Growth Company (UGC), a special purpose delivery vehicle established to lead and develop major infrastructure investment in the area.