Ambitious plans to convert a former Shirley supermarket into a care home and residential homes have finally been brought forward again.

The site of the former Morrisons supermarket and HSBC has been vacant since 2019 and has attracted anti-social behaviour and vandalism ever since.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last month plans for the HSBC site in Stratford Road to be turned into three commercial units were given the green light, but questions remained over the future of the Morrisons section.

Now applicant MACC Group has submitted plans to demolish the former store and remove the car park to make way for a care home featuring 89 en-suite bedrooms, as well as communal facilities including lounges, a hair salon, gym, cinema, quiet rooms and a communal garden.

And there are plans for three semi-detached, four bedroom homes also on the site.

A planning statement from agents Claremont Planning Consultancy Ltd explains that what has been proposed is a "smaller scale of development that responds more appropriately to the streetscene" than a previous application which was refused by Solihull Council planners and a planning inspector.

That proposal, for 84 bed care home and 88 apartments over six storeys, was refused in 2023.

"The appeal was ultimately dismissed due to concerns regarding the design, scale and massing, which are overcome through this revised proposal," the statement says.

"The proposed design takes inspiration from its surroundings utilising contrasting red and grey brick tones.

"The proposed development has been designed to provide a building that assimilates into the character of the Solihull Road/Stratford Road junction.

"Through the community consultation undertaken the proposed massing of the scheme was criticised, as well as the inclusion of Extra Care apartments.

"As such, the Extra Care apartments have been removed from the proposals and the buildings lowered to four storeys fronting the Stratford Road.

"It is evident that despite recent approvals of care homes and retirement living schemes, there remains a 'critical' need for the delivery of care home spaces in the borough and specifically within the Shirley catchment area."

CGI images of how the proposed site would look have also been included with the plans.

The application was lodged with the council on September 21 and a consultation is now underway for interested parties to give their views before the deadline of October 29.

To view the plans and submit a comment, search for application PL/2026/01743/MAJFDW at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.

Meanwhile here are a selection of other live planning applications under consideration by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council:

• 144 Old Station Road, Hampton In Arden: Single storey rear extensions, new rear patio, new front porch extension
• 161 Kineton Green Road, Olton: Two storey side extension
• 33 Stockley Crescent, Shirley: Single storey rear extension
• 936 Old Lode Lane, Elmdon: Single storey rear extension
• 16 Woodperry Avenue, Hillfield: Two storey rear extension, rear loft extension
• 6 Park Road, Solihull: Single storey side and rear extension
• Land North Of Station Road, Balsall Common: Permission in principle for three dwellings
• Morrisons, George Road, Solihull: Installation of advertisement signage comprising charger graphics
• 30 Thurlston Avenue, Solihull: Retrospective planning application for rear/side first floor extension, single storey front/rear extension
• 121 Sharmans Cross Road, Solihull: Demolition of the existing garage and conservatory; erection of a two storey side extension and a single storey rear extension