Derelict former bakery in West Midlands to rise again

The derelict site of a former bakery in Walsall is to be transformed after a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) funding deal to help build 88 new homes. 

The deal, which will see the WMCA make more than £1.5m available for the clean-up of the land, is the latest in a series of disused industrial sites to be redeveloped under the authority’s ‘brownfield first’ regeneration programme.

It clears the way for developer Vistry Partnerships to start construction of 88 new homes on the 4.6 acre site with 66 for private rent and a further 22 classed as affordable.

The inclusion of affordable homes is a direct result of a standard WMCA investment clause requiring at least 20% of homes on any scheme given funding to be classed affordable under the combined authority’s own locally applied definition.

Vistry, which was given planning permission for the scheme last month, has chosen to exceed the minimum requirement and make 25% of the new homes affordable.

Throughout the lockdown the WMCA has continued to press ahead with its multi-million-pound investment programme to unlock and transform brownfield sites, provide market confidence and help drive the region’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery, delivering new jobs and homes in the process.

‘Before coronavirus struck, we were one of the most promising regions in England,’ said West Midlands mayor, Andy Street.

‘We had the fastest growing economy outside of London; living standards were improving; there was a rapid expansion in house building; and there were increasing numbers of apprenticeships.

‘The pandemic has hit us hard but the redevelopment of derelict sites like Harvestime will help kickstart our economy so we can regain our previous momentum, creating new jobs and good quality, affordable homes for local people.

‘Without the WMCA’s intervention this new housing scheme just would not have happened, and the site would have remained a derelict eyesore for the local community. Our investment is transformational for this scheme and the critical ingredient,’ added Mr Street.

‘By unlocking these brownfield sites for redevelopment we are also relieving pressure on our Green Belt while helping the region build its way out of lockdown to secure a post-Covid-19 recovery that is greener and more socially inclusive.’

Photo Credit – Pexels (Pixabay)