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Home , Birmingham city centre, Birmingham City Council, Edgbaston Reservoir, Engine Arm, Icknield Port Loop, Smethwick

GREATER ICKNIELD AND HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS

OCTOBER 2016

Contents Foreword

Foreword page 1 The delivery of new housing will be central to achieving economic growth in the region and is a key part of the strategic economic plans of the West Delivery is Midlands Combined Authority and the Local Enterprise Partnerships for Greater & and the . The Greater Icknield and already happening “ Vision for Greater Icknield and Smethwick page 2 Smethwick area will play a vital role in delivering much needed housing. We are delighted, therefore, to share this prospectus with you and our ambitious plans to on the ground accelerate the delivery of housing growth in Greater Icknield and Smethwick. “ Big place transformations page 4 and confidence The adjoining areas of Greater Icknield, in Birmingham, and Smethwick, in • Grove Lane , lie at the heart of the conurbation. With over 137ha of land for development, the area offer’s one of the largest opportunities for brownfield regeneration in the UK. It is fantastically well located - minutes from is high • the unprecedented growth and investment taking place in Birmingham City Spring Hill Centre, at the heart of the West Midlands region, and with high quality transport • connections.

• Brindley Canalside Indeed the area has the potential to accommodate more than 5,000 new homes. This growth, positively planned for, properly integrated with existing • Windmill Eye neighbourhoods, and supported by investment in infrastructure, will reinvigorate the area and build on its existing offer.

Supporting growth page 16 The vision for Greater Icknield and Smethwick has already attracted investment and commitments from public and private sector partners, including over £400 million in infrastructure. Delivery is already happening on the ground and confidence is high, however momentum needs to be maintained to achieve the vision. This prospectus sets out how growth will be accelerated using a Housing Zone approach and a programme of targeted investment.

For the West Midlands Combined Authority, and Sandwell Council this is a very exciting opportunity. In working together we can make a step change in bringing forward new development Contact and the supporting infrastructure which will affect genuine transformational change to the benefit of the local area and wider region.

Web: www.westmidlandscombinedauthority.org.uk Councillor Sean Coughlan E-mail: Housing and Land Portfolio Lead, ca@.gov.uk West Midlands Combined Authority. [email protected] Councillor John Clancy [email protected] Leader, Birmingham City Council. Telephone: (0121) 303 4057 or (0121) 464 9855 for Birmingham City Council Councillor Steve Eling Leader, (0121) 569 4054 or 569 4055 for Sandwell Council Sandwell Council.

22GREATER GREATER ICKNIELD ICKNIELD AND AND SMETHWICK SMETHWICK HOUSING HOUSING GROWTH GROWTH PROSPECTUS PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 1 Vision for Greater Icknield and Smethwick

Greater Icknield and Smethwick will become a revitalised and sustainable place at the heart of the urban area. It will offer high quality residential environments where people can thrive, enjoy world class services, and access aspirational employment opportunities.

At its heart will be the new £353m The attractiveness of the housing offer • Birmingham has been ranked as The area also provides distinctive local Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Greater Icknield and Smethwick the best regional UK city for quality opportunities: providing a state-of-the-art facility. comes from its unique setting. The of life for the third year running • Good local transport connections by Under construction and due to open opportunities are within a well- (Mercer 2016). The area is becoming car, bus and rail, set to be enhanced in October 2018, the hospital will act connected and centrally located an increasingly attractive residential by the extension of Metro and a as a catalyst for further significant region that has a growing international destination - it is the most popular commitment to the principles of a investment in the area in housing, recognition, a thriving and dynamic destination for Londoners relocating Green Travel District. accessibility, leisure, education and the economy with world-class companies, from the capital (ONS 2014) - and environment. and is a great place to live, work, study has a cost of living only 60% of that • A rich industrial heritage reflected and visit. It also offers access to the in yet offers all the benefits in the railways, and reservoir Housing growth in the area has region’s greatest assets: of living in a major city. which characterise the area. The the potential to deliver over 5,000 water features in particular represent homes. There will be an emphasis • Excellent connections into • Direct flights from Birmingham a common thread and unique selling on providing family homes, creating , with Airport, a 9 minute train journey from point, with a significant number of an offer that will enhance the quality its fantastic range of shopping, the City Centre, to 140 destinations the housing sites including and range of housing. The location employment, leisure and including West Coast USA and South or reservoir frontages. of the area, alongside its high quality entertainment facilities attracting Africa. Reservoir, Summerfield Park and transport connections and waterside more than 40m visitors a year. Victoria Park, as well as the canal development sites, provide the Icknield Port Loop is within a 20 • At the heart of the UK High Speed network, provide attractive local opportunity for quality innovative minute walk or 10 minute cycle, and rail network, including a brand settings. Smethwick Rolfe Street rail station new station in the City Centre. design which enables high densities • Vibrant local centres at Road, offers regular connections taking 6 Birmingham will be within a 49 and attractive spaces to be achieved Cape Hill, Soho Way and Smethwick minutes into the City Centre. minute journey from London - the simultaneously. High Street provide a range of shops equivalent of Zone 4 of the London • A regional economy which is growing and services. These will continue to underground. This transformation will be driven by faster than the national rate. More be a focus for investment to meet the development in 5 key places: than 11,000 new jobs were created • The youngest population of any needs of the growing population in • Grove Lane. through Foreign Direct Investment major city in Europe with under the revitalised neighbourhood. • Icknield Port Loop. in the region in 2015/16 – a greater 25’s accounting for nearly 40% of • The £23.5m Smethwick Learning

number than in any region outside • Spring Hill. the population. The city’s 6 world- Campus has recently been London. The region also supported class universities produce 32,000 • Brindley Canalside. completed. Additional education

more small businesses than any graduates each year; within 1 hour of provision, including expanded and • Windmill Eye. outside London. the city there are 100,000 graduates. new schools, are proposed to meet existing and future demand. Housing growth in the area “ “has the potential to deliver over 5,000 homes

2 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 3 Big place transformations

There are 5 major opportunities to deliver significant growth and create exciting new places: at Grove Lane including the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital, around Icknield Port Loop, at Spring Hill, and Canal complementing recent development at BRINDLEY Brindley Canalside and Windmill Eye. CANALSIDE

These offer a range of opportunities for developers and investors. Smethwick Rolfe Street Station A457 Soho Way Development will deliver: • 5160 new homes. WINDMILL A4540 Ring Road • 137ha of brownfield land redeveloped. EYE (Middleway) GROVE LANE • At least £400m investment in Canal infrastructure. Victoria • £400m potential investment in Park housing. Jewellery SPRING Quarter HILL Station

A457 Dudley Road

Smethwick A38 Summerfield Snow Hill Park Station Canal

ICKNIELD PORT LOOP Birmingham A4040 Edgbaston City Centre

City Road Reservoir

Deliver New Street significant growth Station A4540 Ring Road “and create“ (Middleway) exciting new A38

A456 Hagley Road Ways n Station places NORTH

4 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 5 PROSPECTUS SITE 1 Grove Lane

Location: East of Grove Lane, Smethwick lying to the south of the Birmingham Canal and west of Birmingham City Centre. Area: 29ha. Proposed development: New Midland Metropolitan Hospital and regeneration of the wider area for approximately 900 new homes and ancillary uses. n NORTH

Opportunity Delivery Sandwell and West Birmingham North of Cranford Street The site immediately adjoining The Smethwick Area Action Plan • Consider the current and future NHS Hospitals Trust have chosen the The former Atlas Metals site (4.75ha) the hospital is currently being provides a clear context for the housing needs and requirements Grove Lane site for their new acute is currently being developed by Mar used as a contractors compound. development of these sites for in order to provide for the housing hospital to serve the Sandwell and City to deliver 142 new houses and Upon completion of the hospital residential uses, and has been the market including the consideration of West Birmingham areas. This provides apartments south of the Birmingham redevelopment options could include starting point for delivery. Starter Homes. a catalyst for further investment in Canal. 40 modular build homes are research and development facilities • Provide improved linkages between the surrounding area to provide up expected to be completed in 2016/17. or other complimentary services. The Grove Lane Supplementary Sandwell and Birmingham, and also to 900 new homes in a sustainable There is scope to include land to the Alternatively if residential is proposed Planning Document (2011) provides more locally including to the canal location, close to public transport, west of this site with an opportunity for the site could provide approximately further detail. network and open spaces. shops and services. It also provides a further 40 homes. 70 homes. the opportunity to improve the The new hospital is seen as a catalyst A phased strategy is proposed to bring environment by reclaiming 18ha of The Heartlands Furniture site (2.4ha) for regeneration of the wider area. forward the area at Abberley Street and underutilised brownfield land. Housing will provide the opportunity for The area has therefore been included Grove Street (6.2ha) for new homes to development will compliment existing 250-300 residential units which in a submission to the Department make best use of Moillett Street Park. residential communities. will complement surrounding of the Environment to gain Housing The clearance of industrial from this development. Zone status which will bring focussed There may also be opportunities for area could make way for at least 200 support. homes. complimentary uses associated to There is also a longer term option the hospital, such as research and to bring forward a 1ha site on the The Grove Lane area represents a development and service providers. boundary with Birmingham for London Street/Cranford Street prominent gateway for both Sandwell and Birmingham, and the regeneration approximately 30 homes. There is a longer term opportunity for of land surrounding the hospital will approximately 70 units on this 2ha site be important in accelerating growth Midland Metropolitan Hospital to contribute to the housing provision across the area. Due to open in October 2018, the new in this sought after area. acute hospital incorporates wards and South of Cranford Street clinical uses over 10 levels, car parking The redevelopment of the area The area is located between two busy There is a commitment to: to the south of Cranford Street and a winter garden. New community roads with links into Birmingham • Address relocation, clearance and site

provides opportunities for residential space will be included to the frontage and other parts of Sandwell. Due remediation challenges. Intervention (approximately 270 homes) and as well as new public space adjacent to to the number of ownerships to be from LEP or West Midlands commercial uses. The regeneration of the canal. acquired and the current uses on site, Combined Authority funding streams the area will enhance this location and

this is seen as a longer term proposal. will be considered to assist in this make best use of its situation near The wider hospital site has opportunity Discussions with landowners and process. for further development in the future to local centres, public transport and occupiers will be required in relation to including the provision of a crèche, open spaces. relocations. gym and building for training and “ offices as part of a Phase II scheme.

Housing development will compliment exisiting residential communities

6 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING“ GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 7 PROSPECTUS SITE 2 Icknield Port Loop

Location: Immediately west of Birmingham City Centre adjoining . Area: 43ha. Proposed development: 1,800 homes and complimentary leisure and community facilities. n NORTH

Opportunity A unique opportunity for ‘City Centre’ Other sites • The establishment of a Limited living in a suburban environment, Other key schemes in the wider Liability Partnership to deliver with the potential to accommodate area include the City Council owned the Icknield Port Loop site, with at least 1,800 new homes which Embankment site for 92 homes, Birmingham City Council, the Canals will complement the surrounding conversion of heritage buildings as and Rivers Trust, Urban Splash and residential neighbourhoods. part of a City Centre gateway scheme Places for People. Outline planning of approximately 200 homes on permission has been secured, with The area offers the opportunity to Ledsam Street, and the redevelopment clearance work already undertaken on develop new innovative family focused of Severn Trent’s surplus Waterworks parts of the site. Road depot to potentially deliver 100 neighbourhoods at densities far higher • Serco appointed to construct and homes. Both of these will require than traditionally found in the region. operate the on investor and/or development partners. These neighbourhoods will benefit Icknield Port Loop. from new local facilities, as well as being a short walking distance to the Proposals are also in place to support • The imminent commencement of attractions of Birmingham City Centre, the family orientated growth of the development on the Embankment having access to the canal network, area, including an eight lane 25 metre site of a private rented sector scheme and the major sports and leisure competition swimming pool at Icknield by InReach. destination at Edgbaston Reservoir. Port Loop and a new secondary school on St Vincent Street West. • The preparation of a masterplan for Edgbaston Reservoir to maximise the potential of a key leisure asset of Icknield Port Loop Delivery the area. It will set out a vision which The Icknield Port Loop site will lead the will enhance its economic potential The Greater Icknield Masterplan transformation of this former industrial and its sports, leisure and natural has been agreed with partners and area. Proposals are being developed by environment offer. adopted by the City Council to Urban Splash and Places for People for provide certainty and guidance for the • The delivery of walking and cycling a mixed use waterside development main development sites in the area. improvements to the canal towpaths of around 1,150 new homes and 7,000 This builds upon the areas growth as part of Birmingham Cycle sqm of commercial space. There is the potential identified in the Birmingham Revolution programme. opportunity for further investment into

Development Plan. With this in place, the site, with serviced plots to be made • Completion of the 45 dwelling the area is already benefitting from available to third party development Chamberlain Gardens development

investment and commitments from partners. by Birmingham Municipal Housing key stakeholders, including: Trust. A unique opportunity for“ “‘City Centre’ living

8 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 9 PROSPECTUS SITE 3 Spring Hill

Location: On Dudley Road, leading into Birmingham City Centre. Area: 25ha. Proposed development: 1,250 homes and complimentary facilities. n NORTH

Opportunity Major new neighbourhoods will be side setting. Key connections will be created on one of the main gateway enhanced to improve access in and routes into Birmingham City Centre. around the area, including pedestrian The relocation of the Hospital will and cycling access to the canal provide the catalyst for regeneration, network. The site will require investor with the potential to deliver a range of and/or development partners. homes including family housing. With the area’s good connections, shops and facilities, the quality of the place Delivery and surrounding environment will be These sites make an important enhanced. contribution to the overall growth plans in this area, including the Greater Icknield Masterplan and the City Hospital Birmingham Development Plan. The delivery of the Midland The City Council has worked with Metropolitan Hospital will release a developers and partners to progress significant development opportunity development in the area, including: on the City Hospital site. As well as a new residential community of • The City Hospital site will be vacated approximately 750 homes, primarily once the Midland Metropolitan Hotel for families and including the site is open in 2018, allowing for conversion of attractive buildings, there development to then come forward. will also be retained health services An outline planning application is operated on the site. With the potential expected in 2016. for other complementary uses and • Outline planning consent is in place attractive landscapes, including for the site, including canalside opportunities, a strong sense 500 private rented sector homes, a of place will be created. A developer data centre and other uses. Some The relocation of will be sought for the site. clearance work has also been carried out on site. the Hospital“ • A major highway improvement Soho Loop scheme along the Dudley Road, with will provide the The other key scheme in this area £30m secured in principle from the “ is Soho Loop which provides an Department for Transport. These important regeneration steeping improvements will directly benefit catalyst for stone between Icknield Port Loop the Soho Loop and City Hospital and City Hospital. The site offers the sites. The project is currently under regeneration opportunity to deliver an attractive development, with a full business residential neighbourhood with a canal case to be brought forward.

10 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 11 PROSPECTUS SITE 4 Brindley Canalside

Location: A cluster of three sites to the north of Smethwick Town Centre, alongside the Birmingham Canal. Area: 20ha. Proposed development: 755 homes, with some small business units and workspaces. n NORTH

Opportunity Delivery An opportunity for 755 new homes on Rolfe Street The Smethwick Area Action Plan three sites which are enviably located The canal intersects the provides a clear context for the alongside the Birmingham Canal. site and presents opportunities for development of these sites for The historical formation of canals in unique development to reflect the residential uses, and has been the this traditional industrial area, which historic setting. Development of this starting point for delivery. form part of the Smethwick Galton area could potentially provide up to Bridge Conservation Area, provides 400 new houses and apartments, Commitment has already been made unique opportunities for waterfront complemented by commercial/ by stakeholders, including: development. The area is within easy businesses and workspace set within • The formation of a public/private walking distance of Smethwick High a canalside setting. There is the partnership with significant funding Street and Rolfe Street railway station. potential for refurbishment of historical from the Homes and Communities Development here will compliment canalside buildings as part of this. Agency (HCA) and the former Urban recent housing development in the The site will require investor and/or Living Pathfinder for the remediation area which has taken the place of development partners. of the Brindley II site, and the industrial uses. subsequent acquisition of that site by a major housebuilder. Rabone Lane • Additional private sector investment Brindley II Access to this site has been improved in sites adjacent to the canal to Following the development of Brindley through recent implementation of further housing provision. Urban Village, immediately to the west, highway and junction works. There are the Brindley II site has benefited from residential moorings along the canal to • Funding applications to increase clearance, remediation, and provision the north of the site. Comprehensive housing on sites adjacent to Rolfe of access. The private sector owner/ redevelopment could accommodate Street railway station as part of the developer of this site has submitted some 200 new homes in the longer HCA bid for funding under the Fixing a planning application for 155 homes, term. the Foundations budget linked to and development will commence in the development of sites around 2017. railway stations that feed into the HS2 development proposal in

Birmingham City Centre.

The Rolfe Street and Rabone Lane sites are currently occupied. “ Relocation of existing uses will be Sites which are enviably necessary prior to clearance and remediation. “located alongside the Birmingham Canal

12 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 13 PROSPECTUS SITE 5 Windmill Eye

Location: Predominantly residential area to the north of Cape Hill Town Centre. Area: 12ha over four sites. Proposed development: 450 new homes. n NORTH

Opportunity There is potential for at least 450 Raglan Road/Durban Road and to ensure the communities that new homes to be created within this Two areas of 6ha and 3ha situated to have been established are maintained. predominantly residential setting, the south east of the Windmill Eye are concentrated on four distinct areas currently occupied by housing in mixed Private sector intervention is expected identified for intervention. ownership. New development has on the Crocketts Lane site to provide already taken place off Unett Street as housing in a sustainable location The area lies close to Cape Hill Town part of the £29m scheme by Barratts, and to invest in bringing the listed Centre and more local facilities HCA and Sandwell Council. There will structures back into use, therefore at Lower High Street. It has good be additional targeted sites within protecting and enhancing local transport links with buses serving each of these areas which will require heritage. Birmingham and other areas of the intervention and significant funding to Black Country, and rail links at Rolfe support delivery. Street railway station nearby. Windmill Eye is currently well provided for There is the potential for a number in terms of social and community of other smaller sites, which have infrastructure with health centres, planning permission, to increase the schools and a range of community, housing stock in the coming years. faith, culture and youth amenities serving residents in the area. Delivery The Smethwick Area Action Plan Crocketts Lane outlines the intervention areas within Two sites totalling 3.1ha are available the Windmill Eye. Further guidance on following the relocation of Sandwell shaping this area is contained within

College. the Windmill Eye Neighbourhood Plan.

The sites, which are mainly in private The area has already seen investment ownership, provide the opportunity at Unett Street through partnership for a range of good quality homes arrangements. Further partnerships will within a pleasant setting overlooking be initiated for sites at Raglan Road Further Victoria Park. The sites, which lie within and Durban Road. These will require a Conservation Area, already have the significant funding to support the partnerships “ benefit of planning permission. replacement social housing to be lost “will be initiated

14 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 15 Supporting growth

Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Council are excited by the potential of this partnership to facilitate growth. We will take a Housing Zone approach to bring new housing forward, with formal status applied for from Government. For Greater Icknield and Smethwick, we can achieve this by expanding our partnership working and targeting funding to revive brownfield sites, from financing infrastructure to supporting individual schemes.

Infrastructure and access The delivery of infrastructure, • Improvements to local centres in • Entering into formal partnerships • Streamlining the planning process including the potential to enhance the area at Dudley Road, Cape Hill, with developers and investors through use of Planning Performance existing assets, will provide the basis Soho Way and Smethwick High Street to deliver new development. We Agreements in order to bring more for the areas successful growth. By through a comprehensive approach are already working successful certainty of timescales for decision working in partnership, the delivery of to public realm, access improvements with partners on certain key sites, making. infrastructure can be coordinated on including the Canals and Rivers Trust, and place management. • Building on the success of the a phased approach to bring forward the Homes and Communities Agency • Low-cost energy through a Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust development in the right market and developers. potential district heating network to deliver new rented and market conditions. This will lead to successfully with Combined Cooling, Heat and homes in the area. rejuvenated neighbourhoods that • Working with strategic partners to Power generation. Various options will be well connected, have a good provide leadership to help unlock to create a network that links large range of facilities and services, and be opportunities. This could include heat consumers across the area are attractive to residents and investors. funding mechanisms to enable site being assessed, including links to the assemble and remediation, and the Investment in infrastructure will Birmingham City Centre network. use of compulsory purchase powers where necessary to create viable and include: • £16m investment in a new school in attractive sites. • £30m of improvements to the A457, the Icknield Port Loop area. which will provide better access for • A new £10m swimming pool, an • Further expanding our arrangements the area to Birmingham City Centre with the Homes and Communities and the M5. enhanced sports and leisure offer at Edgbaston Reservoir and improved Agency, including the potential to • A Green Travel District approach public spaces. provide starter homes in the area. where the quality and reliability Paul Dransfield • Working with existing land owners of sustainable transport modes is Strategic Director, and occupiers to identify appropriate maximised. New canal bridges will Major Programmes and Projects, relocation premises wherever possible improve connectivity and access Facilitating site delivery Birmingham City Council. within their desired locations to to the canal network, and further Delivery will be accelerated by ensure that businesses which are upgrades to the canal towpaths. providing greater confidence for displaced are able to continue to Improvements to public transport developers and investors. This will

trade. such as rerouting buses to serve new mean maximising the benefits of Jan Britton developments, improving service the Housing Zone approach and the • Consideration of further Chief Executive,

quality and reliance, and improving interventions across the wider area. masterplanning where required to Sandwell Metropolitan interchanges. This will include: support growth. Borough Council. Targeting funding to revive“ “brownfield sites

16 GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS GREATER ICKNIELD AND SMETHWICK HOUSING GROWTH PROSPECTUS 17 www.westmidlandscombinedauthority.org.uk

BIRMINGHAM • • DUDLEY • SANDWELL • SOLIHULL • • WOLVERHAMPTON