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Develop region’s brownfield sites The regional managing director of a major housing developer says unused brownfield land represents a “significant opportunity” to regenerate the West Midlands. Amanda Bishop, MD for the West Midlands at housebuilder Keepmoat, said: “To support the Government’s aim of prioritising brownfield development we are focused on using our expertise in this area to create sustainable homes at accessible prices. “When we consider the amount of brownfield land across the West Midlands that has become derelict or unused, we recognise that there is a significant opportunity to breathe new life into these areas by delivering high quality new homes.” Mrs Bishop said that as a partner of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Keepmoat is “committed” to building thousands of homes, and bringing the region closer to carbon net zero goals.
Town Board to oversee works Dudley is getting a Town Board of community leaders, employers and politicians to oversee how regeneration cash is spent. The creation of the panel is a condition of the allocation of £20 million levelling up funding to Dudley Council. The board will have the job of delivering the Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns initiative which sees 55 towns including Dudley getting £20m each to spend over the next 10 years. Dudley Council leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, said: “We are delighted to be receiving this major funding boost to invest in Dudley over the next 10 years. “Initial planning is getting under way, but a key element will be working with our local community.”
£118m will fund fresh schemes Plans for a new gateway to Stafford railway station and a green transport technology centre in Brierley Hill are the ‘stand-out’ winners of government cash, said Michael Gove. On a visit to the former Universal Grinding Wheels site close to Stafford railway station, the Levelling Up Secretary outlined details of five schemes in the West Midlands sharing £118 million from the latest funding round. Dudley borough is the biggest recipient, securing £40m for two college developments, while Wolverhampton, Stafford and Birmingham will get £20m each. A further £18m is being made available for a brownfield housing scheme in Smethwick. In Halesowen, the Pool Road car park will be demolished to make way for a new Halesowen College building providing vocational training and adult education courses.
EXPRESS & STAR | TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024
Hospital wellbeing apartments near opening date
A rebirth for the Royal Hospital
Wolverhampton’s imposing former Royal Hospital, closed since 1997, is one of the city’s most iconic and historic structures. The Grade II listed building – which dates back to 1848 – is now being converted into a complex of “wellbeing apartments for over55s”, due to open later this year. The major restoration project, which is being undertaken by housing group whg and Cannock developer MORRO Partnerships, will deliver 192 new affordable homes, including the 38 one and two-bedroom apartments. An additional 123 homes for affordable rent and 31 for shared
ownership have also been built on land to the rear of the hospital building. Corporate director of development for whg, Rebecca Bennett Casserly, said: “It is nothing short of a privilege to be involved in bringing new life and purpose to the Royal Hospital building itself and the surrounding grounds. “As long-term investors, whg also then gets to ensure the stewardship of the new, vibrant place to live is looked after and the new, multi-generational community thrives.” The communal areas will include communal lounges, an IT suite,
library, buggy (mobility scooter) store and gardens. There will also be an on-site cafe run by ASAN (All Saints Action Network). MORRO managing director Chris Timmins said that it was a “privilege” to work on the development alongside whg. He said: “The Royal Hospital has played a huge part in the lives of so many people in Wolverhampton and we are proud to be developing such an iconic building. “This is one of our most highly anticipated projects and it has been a huge privilege to work with whg and breathe new life into the site.”
New ice rink could be a game changer for centre of Dudley
JOHN CORSER
john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk
A new ice rink may soon be coming to Dudley town centre.
The multi-million-pound redevelopment scheme is for a new rink and hotel complex near Flood Street. A previous proposal for redeveloping the site has collapsed, but the West Midlands Growth Company has agreed to initially spend £50,000 on a viability assessment, provided Dudley Council contributed £15,000 to the cost of the assessment if it is successful and then a further £5,000 for an economic impact assessment. Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley feels a rink would be a “game-changer” for the town and provide more than £25 million worth of funding and increased footfall in the town, as well increased food and beverage providers in and around the town centre. An ice rink was originally part of an £82 million Portersfield plan for the site of the former Cavendish House office building which was demolished in 2020. A consultation is currently taking place about plans for future land use across Dudley borough including the Portersfield area on Trindle Road and Hall Street which is seen as the biggest regeneration opportunity in the area The council is in the process of looking for a developer to work on the project.
The Bell Works would be a food, entertainment and events venue to the west of Wolverhampton’s city centre
Bell Works set to help boost city’s night life A £6 million ‘box space’ could help efforts to attract more night time visitors to Wolverhampton City of Wolverhampton Council recently submitted a planning application for the food, entertainment and events venue in the west of the city centre. The proposals follow the demolition of derelict shops at 1-7a Cleveland Street last year and design work for the venue, which it is hoped will attract
JOHN CORSER
john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk
tens of thousands of visitors to the city centre every year. It would be constructed on the cleared site and car park sitting between Cleveland Street and Bell Street and land from the proposed demolition of the vacant Neville Garratt Centre.
The working title for the venue is Bell Works, which provides a nod to the Victorian ironmonger and manufacturer that existed in this area of the city centre in Wolverhampton’s industrial past. The development would also provide new and improved car parking. It would be funded through a combination of the government’s Future High Streets Fund and council investment.
Flats to replace former showroom Experienced surveyor joins the team
A trio of apartment buildings are set to be built on the site of a former car showroom. Sandwell Council’s planning committee has given the green light for 30 new flats to be built on the old Wednesbury Motors showroom and garage in Holyhead Road, Wednesbury. The 30 new flats would be built across three blocks with a car
park behind. The buildings associated with the former car and van sales garage on the corner of Holyhead Road and Monway Terrace were demolished in 2021. The plans had first been put forward in March 2021 but were then redrawn – with the original request to build 40 two-bed apartments across three five-and-sixstorey blocks dropping to 30 flats.
A highly experienced chartered surveyor has joined a leading property consultancy’s infrastructure team as it looks to progress major projects in the West Midlands and Cheshire. David Kydd, who has been an RICS qualified surveyor since 1984, has joined Fisher German’s Stafford office as a new partner, where he will be leading a team of six in its infrastructure services team.
Mr Kydd will be acting on behalf of clients to negotiate with land owners affected by utilities and infrastructure projects in and around Stafford, as well as Fisher German’s offices in Chester, Knutsford, and Worcester. He will primarily work on behalf of clients in the water industry looking to acquire land for capital schemes, providing advice around surveying and valuation.