EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:00 TUESDAY 5 JULY

Local Growth Fund Case Study

Project name

Bilston Urban Village

Funding allocated

£3.25m

Project description

By virtue of its size, location and potential, the Bilston Urban Village site plays a key role in achieving the regeneration outcomes for Bilston Centre and contributing to the transformation of the Infrastructure and Environment as set out in the Black Country Strategic Economic Plan.

The 100 acre brownfield site has been assembled over a number of years by the Council and the regional development agency Advantage (AWM). Significant investment has already taken place to deliver the new South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy and the Bert Williams Leisure Centre on the site, the creation of a commercial development plot fronting the and the direct pedestrian linkage of the site with the town centre. The creation of this “High Street Link” through the acquisition and demolition of dilapidated properties on the High Street is also designed to provide a further town centre development opportunity.

Local Growth Funding has enabled the undertaking of a package of site infrastructure works which are creating further areas of residential development, new public transport opportunities, strategic pedestrian and cycle routes and enhanced public open spaces.

When complete the site will accommodate up to 440 new homes with associated improvements to public open spaces including major new recreational and biodiversity improvements to the open space areas, upgrading of the adjacent canal towpath, public transport infrastructure and the upgrading of important pedestrian routes beyond the site including the High Street Link to the town centre.

Timeline: Advanced Works May 2015 Advance Works Programme contract start on site May 2016 Completion of works

Open Space Autumn 2016 Open space infrastructure and biodiversity works start on site

Plots F and N (Elderwood Close) March 2016 Kier start on site - development of 78 homes

Plot A2 Autumn 2016 start on site at commercial development plot fronting Black Country Route

New Residential Plots (BUVWest) April 2016 Expressions of interest sought for 27 acres residential development land Autumn 2016 Preferred developer selected for residential development land Autumn 2017 Start on site

Project outputs to-date

Completion of estate road and new junctions, sustainable urban drainage system, creation of development platforms, construction of major new public transport infrastructure. Provision of high voltage electricity supply serving 27 acres (gross) of new residential development land.

Start on site for 78 new houses and agreement for 5 construction apprenticeships

Comment & quotes

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Minister for City Economy said: “We are pleased that Local Growth Funding has contributed to the completion of this important phase of Bilston Urban Village. The housebuilders ’ recent response to the Expressions of Interest for the residential development land gives us the confidence that the right environment is being created for quality housing of all types and that the urban village will be an asset to new and existing residents of Bilston.”

Further content available via https://youtu.be/hcoOVvzQOxs