A police commissioner has committed to Solihull town centre continuing to have a police station while the council leader says "advanced discussions" are underway.

As first reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service plans have now been lodged with Solihull Council to demolish the force's current Homer Road station to make way for a five-storey office building.

Campaigners have fought the proposal for years but West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said he will "ensure" the town keeps a permanent police station.

The PCC said in a new statement: "Community policing is my top priority.

"That is why I will always ensure West Midlands Police has a permanent police station in Solihull town centre which is a base for the local neighbourhood policing team, open to the public, where people can speak to a police officer and where crimes can be reported.

"The current building at Homer Road is a legacy of the past and is no longer fit for 21st-century policing. It is outdated, costly, inefficient and wasteful.

"That is based on the independent, objective and impartial, operational policing view of the Chief Constable.

"By disposing of a building no longer fit for purpose I am ensuring taxpayers' money is directed towards protecting police officer numbers, preventing and tackling crime and keeping our communities safe and secure.

"The officers and staff currently in Homer Road will, in due course, be relocating to a new police station with a public contact office even closer to the town centre.

"We are negotiating heads of terms with Solihull Council on a long-term deal which will be a great use of public money and publicly owned buildings for both parties.

"In addition, we will be reusing the police property in Winchcombe Road as a base for response policing after some minor refurbishments.

"It is a win-win solution for the people of Solihull, West Midlands Police and Solihull Council."

Council leader Karen Grinsell said in her statement: "The council is in advanced discussions with West Midlands Police for a new site for their public contact office and neighbourhood policing teams in a central town centre location."

It is the latest twist in a saga that has been running for the past eight years after former PCC David Jamieson agreed to sell off the building as part of wider plans to save the force £5 million.

Mr Foster and his strategic police and crime board then approved the plans in 2023.

Campaigners have been vocal against the closure of the station with more than 1,000 people previously signing a petition to save it.

Applicant Opus Land is behind the proposal for a 8,937 sqm commercial office on the site arranged over five storeys with a multi-storey car park providing 273 parking spaces.