A location has been identified for a new Solihull Police Station after a long running campaign for the town centre to continue to have one.

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

Campaigners have fought that plan for years and Reform UK councillors recently launched another petition to save the station, which was signed by more than 800 residents.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster told the LDRS he would "ensure" the town kept a permanent police station, and discussions with the council have been ongoing for weeks.

Providing an update at the latest full council meeting on July 7 the authority's leader, Cllr Karen Grinsell, said: "Ensuring our residents continue to be able to reach their local police officers in person is a priority for us.

"So therefore I'm proud and pleased to announce we have been able to work with West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to secure new premises in the heart of the town centre.

"The proposal is that Solihull Police Station will move to The Priory on Church Hill Road, which is part of the council site.

"This will be subject to an agreement at cabinet (on July 23) where a report will be presented asking for the council to dispose of its lease to West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

"We look forward to working together to make this happen over the coming months.

"This has been a long running campaign and as I say I'm very pleased we have found a home for the police station."

Following the leader's announcement Saqib Bhatti MP said it was "wonderful news".

"Having a permanent base in Solihull Town Centre is essential," the MP said.

"I committed to saving Solihull Police Station when I was first elected in 2019 and then in 2024.

"This is not the end though – we need more officers across the borough including in our rurals team and also a front desk to be open in Chelmsley Wood."

Cllr Samantha Gethen, leader of the Reform UK group on the authority, said it was a "fantastic result for the people of Solihull" thanking residents who signed the latest petition.

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