New stations in the West Midlands

SLC Property is helping to deliver five new stations in the West Midlands to increase connectivity in and reduce the use of car travel and road congestion.

Background

SLC Property, in conjunction with SLC Rail and their joint venture partners AECOM under the WMCA Framework, has been instructed to deliver five new stations in the West Midlands.  Package One consists of the development of new stations in Darlaston and Willenhall in the Black Country. Package Two focuses on the development of three stations in South Birmingham which are in Stirchley (Hazelwell), Kings Heath and Moseley.

All five stations were previously operational and closed due to either the Beeching cuts or World War II economic measures. Rail demand has increased significantly over the last decade and further growth is considered vital for the ever-increasing population in the West Midlands. This development will not only increase connectivity in the West Midlands, but it will also reduce the use of car travel and road congestion.

Services provided

  • Full planning services provided and subsequently approved
  • SLC Property partnered with an international law firm to prepare a Compulsory Purchase Order which was subsequently not required due to successful voluntary negotiations with landowners
  • The final engineering designs were based on the initial referencing and land engagement work undertaken by SLC Property
  • Negotiated with Network Rail and landowners in securing the key acquisition of land for both packages

Challenges

  • There is over 40 separate parcels of land required for the delivery of the five stations.  The owners greatly vary from offshore investment companies, independent schools and large retailers, so the complexity of liaising and negotiating with each interested party is challenging and requires a meticulous and pragmatic approach

Key accomplishments to date

  • Pre-planning applications successfully submitted for both packages in 2018
  • Led the Public Engagement sessions for WMCA in 2018 and 2019
  • Successful negotiation and acquisition of four acres of land in Darlaston in 2018, which has secured the majority of the land required for the station

Contact us to discuss your property aspirations and project challenges