Stalled Smethwick canalside village back afloat

Developers behind the plans to build a creative village that would transform a run-down area of Smethwick have confirmed they are going ahead with the £9 million development.

New homes and commercial properties will be built in Rolfe Street.

Complex Development Projects bosses originally hoped to start work this year but the development was plunged into doubt after a section of funding that had been awarded was 'de-approved'.

But bosses say they have now been promised funds from elsewhere and have vowed that the project will be bigger than initially thought.

The company also revealed work would be able to begin early next year preparing the site using existing funding.

Ian Harrabin, managing director of Complex Development Projects, said: "Following the withdrawal of some of the funding due to overspend elsewhere around nine months ago, we have been working on revised proposals for Rolfe Street.

"Discussions are under way with funding partners for a more ambitious change in the area which will be worked up over the next six months. But in the meantime, we are looking at starting some major demolition and enabling works early in the new year and also making a start on the new village, at the heart of the regeneration in the spring.

"This will use existing funding that we still have in place, but the project needs to be re-appraised."

Pedestrian links will also be improved between the Rolfe Street railway station and Smethwick High Street.

There will also be a series of works to improve the canal which leaders hope will attract businesses and people back into the area.

The project aims to reverse the 30-year decline of the area by overhauling much of the canal side.

Council bosses have said that the canalside redevelopment will complement the £42m Brindley Village II regeneration scheme that sits on the opposite side of the canal.

Sandwell Council's deputy leader Steve Eling who has previously supported the Rolfe Street project. "It will be a really good scheme when it gets started and really make a difference to Rolfe Street," he said.

Complex Development Projects is also behind a new glass museum museum and canalside apartment development being built in Stourbridge.

The attraction which is being built on part on the factory site, once known as the White House Glass Cone, will showcase the area's glass making history.