Major housing scheme set for approval
A major bid to transform a derelict piece of land where a factory once stood into a 250-home development looks set to move a step closer.
Walsall Council’s planning committee is expected to grant planning permission – subject to conditions – for the scheme by Walsall Housing Group and Lovell Partnership to regenerate the ex-Caparo engineering site on Old Birchills.
Outline planning permission was granted in October last year and now members are being asked to give their approval to the proposed layout and appearance of the 252 homes.
Bosses behind the development say it will provide much-needed houses for the borough as well as bring land that has lain empty for over a decade back into use.
In February, the West Midlands Combined Authority announced a funding deal to pump millions into unlocking the brownfield site and ensuring it can be cleaned up and ready for homes to built on it.
As well as the 252 properties, the project will create jobs and 15 apprenticeships during the construction phase.
It will feature a mixture of housing including two, three and four-bedroomed homes as well as one and two-bedroomed apartments for the over 55s.
There will be a range of private homes for sale and rent as well as at least 20 per cent affordable housing.
When the WMCA funding was announced, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “It is great to see another derelict brownfield site being brought back into use for much needed new housing.
“Not only will this scheme help to further ease pressure on the greenbelt in the Black Country, but it will also help increase the number of affordable homes being built across the region.”
WHG chief executive Gary Fulford said: “We are always looking at new and creative ways to tackle the housing shortage.
“This innovative partnership will enable us to ramp up our development programme and help provide more good quality and affordable homes for families in Walsall, contributing to an inclusive growth agenda.”
