WMCA announces another landmark multi-million-pound investment

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has confirmed a multi-million-pound investment package to kickstart the development of nearly 400 homes and new commercial premises at three derelict sites, supporting hundreds of jobs.

The brownfield regeneration schemes in Coventry, Nuneaton and Wolverhampton are the latest from the WMCA’s nationally acclaimed devolved housing and regeneration programme which, in partnership with industry, is providing new homes, jobs and commercial spaces while supporting the region’s economic recovery from the Covid pandemic.

The investment will now trigger detailed negotiations with project applicants to transform the brownfield sites at:

• Culwell Street – A scheme in the heart of Wolverhampton city centre which will support the construction of at least 300 homes in the first phase of the Brewers Yard regeneration project
• Abbey Street, Nuneaton – a 56,000sqft commercial development designed to support the regeneration of the town centre and 30 jobs
• Wood End Manor Farm, Coventry – investment to kickstart the delivery of 94 new homes as part of a much wider regeneration project

Further benefits of the schemes include the development of affordable housing for local people – as defined by the WMCA – the support of construction and supply chain jobs, the development of new skills and training and the use of the latest modular construction techniques.

The investment is drawn from the devolved housing and land funds secured by the WMCA from Government and will be used to cover the expensive land clean up, demolition and critical infrastructure costs at the three former industrial sites, paving the way for new development.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “The Covid pandemic has hit the West Midlands hard, but we’re determined to not be knocked off course and to press on with our plans to remediate derelict industrial land.

“Not only do these projects breathe life into old brownfield sites, but they also help to create and secure local jobs – both now and for the future. This is key for both our recovery from the pandemic and my 100,000 jobs plan.

“Also, by prioritising brownfield sites such as these for development, we’re helping to protect precious greenbelt land around the West Midlands.

“All of this has been made possible by the substantial cash we have secured from Government, and we will continue to work with them to bring more eyesore sites back to life, building more homes and creating more jobs across the West Midlands.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing and land and leader of Walsall Council, added: “These projects are some of the largest that the Combined Authority has supported to date. Their approval is the latest in a series of WMCA investment commitments that have continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to provide market confidence and put in place the building blocks required to drive the region’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery plans.”

City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for city environment, Cllr Steve Evans, said: “This is an important step in delivering Brewers Yard for the City of Wolverhampton – one of the biggest game-changing schemes in the region.

“In the coming years phase one will deliver top-quality living at the heart of our city, with connectivity to state-of-the-art transport facilities. It is all part of £4.4 billion of investment in the City of Wolverhampton that is also delivering jobs and opportunities for local people of all ages.”

Kristofer Wilson, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “Our regeneration initiative Transforming Nuneaton is at a critical point, and the funding from WMCA will help us to unlock significant development around Abbey Street.

“Once this exciting project is underway I believe we will show that Nuneaton is now open for business and we welcome the opportunity to talk to anyone who might be interested in regenerating other parts of our borough.”

Cllr David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities, Coventry City Council, said: “In Coventry we have a very good track record of making the best use of brownfield sites and we recently announced a series of new modular homes at garage sites in the city. A further 94 new homes is very welcome news and will help in our ongoing efforts to provide good quality homes to meet our housing needs.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, at Coventry City Council added: “In Coventry we are heavily involved in a wide range of regeneration schemes throughout the city.

“This is positive news for the Wood End and Manor Farm community and key to all of this is job creation.”