In the spotlight: Walsall
Growth and Development in Walsall Tim Johnson Executive 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 1 st 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 Walsall Austin 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 1 st 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
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 &