Guidelines set for Garden City project
Housing guidelines have been put forward by bosses behind the Black Country Garden City project to ensure the quality of individual developments is up to scratch.
The scheme, due to be completed by 2025, involves the development of 45,000 homes on brownfield land.
The ten 'principles' have been drawn up by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) against which developers will be tested.
They include:
*Encouraging the development of under-used land.
*Is the development well connected by all modes of transport?
*Does the scheme have a clear identity expressed through its architecture, public spaces and the way it is marketed?
*Does the scheme support the creation and development of new business?
*Does the scheme promote healthy lifestyle?
Dr Chris Handy, Black Country LEP Board Member said: “The Black Country is already signed up to deliver the Garden City over the next ten years, the principles are a means to ensure we are all delivering homes at the right quality, in the right areas, making the most of existing infrastructure.
“Through the Black Country Garden City we want to create a mixed economy of housing from affordable homes through to executive housing alongside high quality, and sustainable, amenities to ensure we attract and retain people within the Black Country. Not only do we want people to work in the Black Country, we want them to make the Black Country their home.”
The Garden City project suffered a setback in January when it failed in a bid for government funding.
It prompted bosses at the LEP and the area’s four councils to write to housing minister Gavin Barwell expressing ‘disappointment’ at the decision.
The scheme differs from the national model in that it ‘builds out’ from existing towns and villages, rather than creating new distinct places.
Mr Handy, added: "The Black Country Garden City idea is that by working together around a set of common principles, the Black Country LEP, Local Authorities, land owners, housing developers (private and social), and communities can transform perceptions of living in the Black Country, making it a much more desirable location to buy or rent a home, for existing Black Country residents as well as people moving to the area.
"Ten Black Country Garden City sites across the Black Country are currently live, with a total of 500 units currently under construction with residents already living in completed homes in Goscote Lane, Walsall.
"There is an opportunity to lever £6 billion of investment through the Garden City over ten years as well as be a magnet for investment into its internationally established automotive, aerospace and construction sectors."
