17.09.19
West Midlands Combined Authority to deliver 4,000 new homes
A pioneering partnership between the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Lovell Partnerships provides opportunity to pave the way for over 4,000 new homes.
Confirmed by mayor Andy Street today (Tuesday 17 Sept), the partnership will see the unlocking of the industrial brownfield land and rediscovery of its potential for new build housing. The combination of public and private sector skills and investments will ultimately ease pressure on the beloved Green Belt.
The region has pledged to build 215,000 new homes by 2031, in order to meet current housing economic demand, and this new development just got them 4,000 closer to their target. The area is leading the way for residential development, outside of London, having constructed more than 14,500 in 2018.
Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, is optimistic about the partnership, calling it “ground-breaking” and saying “We have earmarked hundreds of millions of pounds to help transform our brownfield land into thriving new communities that offer affordable, well designed homes for local people, and premises for firms creating worthwhile jobs.
The news came after he announced the deal in a keynote speech in front of leading public and private sector figures at the West Midlands Forum for Growth conference in Birmingham.
According to Mr Street, Lovell have been at the forefront of many development schemes across the country including 283 homes in Walsall, 255 homes on 12 infill sites owned by Sandwell Council and 151 mixed tenure homes in Wolverhampton.
Regional managing director of Lovell, Stuart Penn, is confident in their ability to execute the plan: “By combining our industry expertise and local knowledge, with a willingness to think innovatively, we will unlock significant areas of brownfield land for much needed housing development.
Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing and land and leader of Walsall Council, added: “We believe this partnership with Lovell will be highly effective in speeding up the supply of land, predominantly brownfield, for development.
“It will help deliver attractive schemes that ultimately give everyone the opportunity for a decent home and job.
“This partnership is an important element of our Single Commissioning Framework which will see the WMCA target its funding on developments that meet our key goals, including tackling youth and long-term unemployment, securing affordable housing, maximising public transport connectivity and supporting advanced methods of construction.”