In the spotlight: Walsall

Growth and Development in Walsall

Tim JohnsonExecutive Director Regeneration

September 2012

Effective partnerships in Walsall• Partnership between whg and Walsall council

– Shared aspiration to regenerate Walsall through the Strategic Regeneration Framework. Phase 1 covers 43hectares, 1500 homes and 20 sites

– Home energy improvements • British Gas, whg, and Walsall Council delivered 1st

national multi tenure community energy programme in Blakenall

• 20,000 homes in Walsall have received energy improvements since 2008, including 2000 whg.

Home Energy Improvement in WalsallAustin House – external insulation, ground source heat pump, side PV panels,

community heating system

Delivery in Walsall

• Delivery Framework– Walsall Local Investment Plan (LIP), reflects LEP priorities

• LIP has Thematic and Area based approach• Thematic approach based on economy,

housing and sustainability. Example:– Beechdale LoCal Factory

• Manufactures closed panel timber frame homes• Highly insulated – Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4

as standard• New business creating 20 to 30 jobs

Beechdale Factory

Beechdale factory - delivery from start to finish

• Walsall Council provided investment in excess of £1m– £300k grant for equipment– £450k to adapt factory, and then provided at

peppercorn rent– Land for demonstration project

• Accord – substantial capital and revenue funding• HCA - £2m for the £13m 1st development at

Whitworth Close

Whitworth Close

New ways of working - NHB

• ‘Walsall New Homes Bonus’– Launched by Walsall Council in October 2011– £800k allocated in Round 1 for loans (and grants)

to developers to unlock stalled housing sites– Unlocked 5 housing sites, over 200 homes, over

300 jobs safeguarded or created.– Further £1m was agreed for Rounds 2 and 3– Repaid loans to be recycled into similar schemes

Area based Delivery – Town Centre

• Priority area within our Local Investment Plan• Town centre activity (amongst others)

– Manor Hospital Refurb– Tesco Extra– Walsall College

• Activity reflects principle of LIP – coordinating investment to make wider impact on regeneration

Area Based Delivery – Town Centre

Area Based Delivery – Town Centre

• Waterfront North • Urban Splash• Partnership with HCA who now have

stewardship of former RDA assets• 100 bed hotel by Whitbread (Premier Inn

brand). Due to open in mid November 2012

Waterfront Hotel

Area Based delivery – Town Centre

• Waterfront South• 322 homes and commercial space• Private sector investment enabled by public sector

intervention• Partnership between Walsall Council, HCA, Accord

Group, Jessup Build Develop

A Partnership that has Delivered on its Promises

Strategic Town Centre Location of Waterfront South

Waterfront South prior to development.

Walsall Housing Group Offices

Walsall College

Walsall New Art Gallery

Premier Hotel

A Partnership that has delivered on its promises

Professor David Bellamy gave his thoughts on the green credentials of the Award Winning Scheme

Birchills Primary school children produce contents of a time capsule

Project formally launched by the then Regional Minister for the West Midlands.

Meet the Buyer held at Walsall College and Jessup Apprentices inducted on site

…with some help from local school children

Phase 1 complete; Winner of the 2011 National Waterways Best Regeneration Award

Midwifery-Led Birthing Unit

The Waves nearing completion &