VINCI Construction UK has been appointed as the design and build contractor for two major new multi-storey car parks on the outskirts of Solihull in the West Midlands.

The firm was selected by The Urban Growth Company (UGC).

The car parks will be adjacent to the new HS2 Interchange Station at the heart of emerging plans for Arden Cross, a new 140-hectare (346 acre) mixed-use destination comprising business, leisure, education, medical, technology and residential uses.

It is expected that between 4,500 and 7,000 multi-storey spaces will be provided which will be used by HS2 passengers and, over time, those visiting Arden Cross.

The 13-month contract marks the start of the UGC's plan to deliver multi-storey car parking in time for the planned opening of HS2 between 2029 and 2033. It will see VINCI delivering a RIBA stage 3 design and seeking to secure full planning permission for one of the car parks and outline planning permission for a second.

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Alongside VINCI, additional planning and architectural design support will be provided by Cundall, Associated Architects and Fira.

The contract was awarded via the Pagabo framework following a competitive procurement process.

The appointment is a major milestone for the Urban Growth Company and its partners including the Arden Cross landowners, to deliver an alternative to HS2 Ltd's previously consented scheme to provide surface car parking. The consolidation of spaces into a multi-storey format is a key part of the Arden Cross masterplan and will release about 30 hectares of land, paving the way to create thousands of new jobs and homes up to three years earlier than originally planned.

It follows an announcement last year that central government would provide a grant of £50m, alongside a £45m loan from the West Midlands Combined Authority, to fund the project.

The appointed team has already consulted with the local community and other stakeholders about the early design and landscaping possibilities for the car parks. Responses to the initial consultation are currently being assessed before a second round of consultation to seek further feedback is undertaken in May.

The planning application will then be submitted to Solihull Council as the local planning authority this July, with a decision expected by December 2022.