The redevelopment of Kingshurst, a local centre in Solihull in the West Midlands, presented the opportunity to create a high quality, community focussed centre at the heart of the neighbourhood.
The new centre aims to be a sustainable, well-integrated community with enhanced potential to benefit from its close proximity to the economic opportunities at the airport, NEC and the rest of the UK Central Hub. The project hopes to stimulate growth in the area as well as building further social capital and local pride, and will provide around 90 jobs in relation to the construction and businesses once the site is operational.
The planning application was unanimously approved at committee in late April 2022.
PJA supported Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council with the flood risk, drainage and highways elements of the full planning application for the re-development. The proposals included 79 homes, a vicarage for St Barnabas Church and a village square which will encompass healthcare provision, retail, hot food takeaways and parking alongside green open space and areas of landscaping.
The Flood Risk Assessment and drainage strategy PJA produced to support the application encompassed a network of above ground SuDS and landscaping to enhance the biodiversity and amenity value of the site, in addition to providing a scheme which robustly manages surface water flows. We also optimised the strategy in accordance with BREEAM credits for the site and then reviewed the total BREEAM score the development could offer in relation to the healthcare provision.
We also developed a foul water drainage strategy, designed the highways for the planning submission and prepared details on the required earthworks.
A particular challenge of the Kingshurst site was a high surface water flood risk flow path identified by the Environment Agency national Flood Risk Mapping.
As part of the Flood Risk Assessment, detailed site-specific hydraulic modelling was undertaken to provide a more refined and site-specific understanding of the existing flood risk in this area of the site. The model was then updated based on the detailed earthworks model that PJA produced for the proposed development to understand the flood risk implications for the proposed development.
A number of design scenarios were tested through the model to ensure that the proposed development remained safe during future extreme rainfall events through the utilisation of proposed above ground flood storage areas and refinements to the proposed levels. The hydraulic modelling also demonstrated that the proposed development did not have any adverse flood risk impacts to the neighbouring areas.
Our integrated water resources and civil engineering teams enabled the project to develop seamlessly and ensured compatibility between the earthworks strategy, drainage strategy and hydraulic modelling where multiple options could easily and swiftly be tested through the hydraulic modelling to optimise the design.
We also consulted proactively with statutory stakeholders to ensure a solution which not only satisfied local and national flood risk and drainage requirements but also provided multi-benefits to the proposed development.
Andy Duke, from Solihull Community Housing, said:
“We appointed PJA to manage the flood risk and drainage elements of a strategic regeneration planning application at Kingshurst. The masterplanning of the Site required a careful balance to ensure a viable development with regards to the business case could be achieved.
PJA were instrumental in the unanimous decision to approve the proposals by liaising with the Lead Local Flood Authority and demonstrating that the development could be designed to be safe with regards to flood risk from all sources using complex and bespoke hydraulic modelling approaches, and incorporating innovative SuDS solutions and surface water appraisal methods.
We thank PJA for their determination and creativity in finding a solution which will enable us to take this redevelopment forwards!”
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Masterplan by: Solihull Council Building Design Studio
