Bam wins £80m Shirley job

Bam will be main contractor on a £80m regeneration scheme to revamp Shirley town centre near Solihull.

Developer Shirley Advance will submit a revised planning application for the scheme later this year with a view to starting on site in summer 2010.

The plans - known as the Parkgate scheme - are built around a new Asda superstore as anchor retail tenant and include 200 flats and family homes.

Robert Birch of Shirley Advance confirmed that "we have appointed BAM Construction to build the scheme in due course".

Revised plans for the development were considered by Solihull Council's cabinet last week and the new proposals will be resubmitted later this year.

The scheme has been in the pipeline for more than five years and has provoked opposition from local residents and retailers.

The latest changes involved scaling down the number of apartments due to over-supply of flats in the current market.

Birch said: "I am delighted that we have been able to make changes to the proposed scheme to ensure that it remains a reality for Shirley, in spite of the current economic conditions. So many schemes nationally have had to be abandoned - this would not have been good for Shirley, which badly needs investment of this kind. We remain entirely committed to ensuring the future of Shirley town centre, and will continue our efforts to bring this scheme forward as soon as possible."

Cllr Ken Meeson, Leader of Solihull Council, said: "The challenging economic climate means that we have had to look at revisions to the scheme. However, these would still deliver a dramatic and positive improvement to Shirley town centre. We have made a promise to the people of Shirley that we will breathe life into the town centre, and we will deliver on that promise."