A public inquiry is to be held following objections over plans to extend the Touchwood shopping centre in Solihull.
The scheme by Solihull Council and developer Lendlease to extend the shopping destination by 30 units had already been given permission by the planning authority.
But following objections over plans to tear down existing businesses in the High Street, the government has ordered a public inquiry to take place into the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the properties affected.
A letter sent to an objector of the scheme from the Department for Communities and Local Government confirmed that a public inquiry will now be held into the Touchwood Extension Compulsory Purchase Order.
Some businesses will be left with no choice but to move if the plans go ahead, including the Revital Health Shop, Letting Places children’s clothing shop Jurnie and Melvyn Danes estate agency.
The date of the public inquiry is yet to be confirmed.
A spokesman for Lendlease said: “Lendlease confirms that the Department for Communities and Local Government will be conducting a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) inquiry to assemble the land for the development of the extension of Touchwood. This is a necessary and expected step in the delivery of the extension.
“A substantial part of the land affected is owned by the Council and the Lendlease Retail Partnership, but there are a number of other ownerships that are required permanently to complete the site.
“Lendlease has been in discussions with the affected parties for some time and those conversations will continue.”
The expansion is set to bring 900 new jobs to the town, around 500 during the construction phase and 400 jobs to help run the new shops and restaurants.
Developer Lend Lease plans to demolish the two existing council buildings to make way for the 115,000 sq ft extension to the shopping centre.
