Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) leader Karen Grinsell has defended plans for the major Holbeche Place redevelopment, saying the scheme will help meet housing demand while reducing pressure to build on green spaces.

Speaking on BBC Radio WM's Hot Seat segment, Cllr Grinsell responded to concerns raised by some residents about the future of Solihull town centre, including fears it could become a "ghost town".

The redevelopment of the former Mell Square site will deliver more than 1,600 homes alongside shops, restaurants, public spaces and other commercial uses over the coming years.

The scheme was approved by SMBC in February.

Defending the plans, Cllr Grinsell told the BBC: "If we don't put housing in town centres, where they are easily accessible, we are going to have to end up building housing on our green spaces.

"We don't want to do that, so to be able to put more housing in the town centre is part of the solution."

Addressing concerns about the impact on retail, she said: "Retail has changed, you're seeing companies wanting smaller units.

"So, you can have retail on the bottom."

She added that the plans would see housing incorporated above commercial premises, helping to create a mixed-use town centre.

The council leader also defended proposals to reduce the number of parking spaces as part of the scheme.

"When you do town centre living, you have to imagine that Solihull is well connected, easy access routes in and out of, with the bus services and the train station," she said.

"You have active travel options, you don't need as much parking, but when you talk about the reduction, actually there's only 546 parking spaces reduced."

Holbeche Place is being delivered by developer Muse in partnership with SMBC and is intended to create a new neighbourhood featuring homes, retail space, food and drink venues and public areas.