Major projects planned to help Black Country economy bounce back in 2021

Despite the slump in jobs, council leaders say there are big developments on the horizon for the Black Country.

They will be part of the plan to create employment in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and will provide a focus for a taskforce chaired by Wolverhampton Council leader Ian Brookfield.

Leaders in the region, who will be part of the taskforce, have listed projects that will be coming to the region in 2021 and beyond, from an new ice skating rink to business parks and office developments.

They will create both direct jobs and also work through the supply chain.

Latest figures show the total claiming unemployment benefits, including Universal Credit, in the region has almost doubled from 137,845 in December 2019 to 265,925 in November 2020.

In Dudley, the borough’s council leader Patrick Harley said there are at least “a dozen big projects” in the pipeline, greater than any other local authority.

They include the Portersfield development on land where Cavendish House once stood. It is earmarked for 400 homes, a new medical centre and an ice skating rink, the latter of which will be the “crowning jewel”, said Councillor Harley.

Elsewhere in the borough, the roof is being fixed onto the borough’s new £20 million leisure centre in Flood Street, the development of a Very Light Rail technology centre in Castle Hill is progressing and work on the Midland Metro tram line is also continuing, including a new interchange at the current bus station.

Councillor Harley said: “I think in 2021, once we have got the pandemic behind us, Dudley is going to be a very exciting place to be in terms of regeneration.”

In Walsall, the borough’s leader Mike Bird highlighted the upcoming Phoenix 10 business park, a 50 hectare site near J9 of the M6, as development to look forward to. Decontamination of the site will take place over the next 18 months.

In Staffordshire, council leader Alan White highlighted developments such as the extension of the i54 Business Park just over the Wolverhampton border in Coven, and the development of 6,200 new homes along the Stafford Western Bypass and Lichfield Southern Bypass. Wolverhampton’s leader Ian Brookfield highlighted developments such as the i9 office block, which is currently being developed with tenants on a waiting list, and a new solar farm in Wednesfield, which is yet to receive planning permission.

In Wolverhampton, the city council's leader Ian Brookfield highlighted developments such as the i9 office block, located in the city centre, which is currently being developed with tenants on a waiting list, and a new solar farm in Wednesfield, which is yet to receive planning permission.

Councillor Brookfield is heading up a new taskforce aimed at creating new jobs in the region.

He said this will be done by encouraging firms to take on apprenticeships and the Kickstart Scheme and speaking with businesses about how to save jobs and resources.

Sandwell Council’s deputy leader, Maria Crompton, said: “We have lots to look forward to. The Sandwell Aquatics Centre and the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital are both proceeding on schedule – major projects which will be great assets for decades to come.

"There is the Towns Fund of £3.6bn in 101 towns across the UK, including West Bromwich, Smethwick and Rowley Regis.

"This government investment is aimed at attracting businesses and developers, to drive economic growth through urban regeneration, to build skills and enterprise.”