Julian Knight, the Conservative Candidate for Solihull, and Conservative Councillors Mark Parker, Annette Mackenzie and Brian Holmes visited the former PowerGen site in Shirley last Friday as demolition work on the long-term derelict ruin has finally begun.
The site is being cleared and the interior of the buildings are being stripped out in preparation for their coming down for the development of a new Extra Care Village alongside traditional family homes and a petrol filling station.
Commenting at the site, Julian said:
“I’m so pleased that this eyesore is finally being demolished. I’ve been campaigning to get this site put to better use ever since I was elected. It’s taken a long time but it’s wonderful to see the contractors are finally on site!
“Dormant brownfield sites like this are a terrible waste of potential. Redevelopment will not only remove an eyesore from our skyline but will provide new homes and jobs, just as we saw when the Parkgate complex was opened.”
Robert Birch, of Shirley Advance, said:
“It was great to meet Julian and the local Ward Members on site last week and to show them around, as our contractors are now forging ahead with the site clearance and demolition to make way for the new development.
“We very much appreciate their ongoing support for this project.”