Type=image;ImageID=6229;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=An artist's impression of how part of the urban village could look;TitleClass=strong;
Last year, the Government announced the city council had been successful in securing £3.25 million in growth funding for the Bilston Urban Village project through the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership. The urban village is a multi million pound regeneration scheme of brownfield land.
Bids needed to demonstrate they could get off the ground and make a difference to local growth as soon as possible. The Bilston Urban Village project is already underway and will see up to 500 homes built on land south of the town centre and the Black Country Route. The site opposite the Bert Williams Leisure Centre will contain new food and drink outlets.
The Local Growth Fund money will mean additional infrastructure can be delivered, including a bus link, pedestrian and cycle route, creation of high quality open leisure space and electric supply to the new homes.
Cabinet members formally approved the project funding yesterday. Work is already taking place on site, which stretches east from Coseley Road to Dudley Street, to prepare it for housing development. Homes will also be built on land west of Dudley Street.
City council economy leader Peter Bilson said: "Successful Local Growth Fund projects need to demonstrate quick and efficient delivery and that is something we are doing with the Bilston Urban Village. It will attract significant private investment and create new homes and jobs - playing an important part in the regeneration of the city."
In addition to the LGF money, a total of £7.5 million is being jointly invested by the city council and the Homes and Communities Agency. A £2.5 million pedestrian link will connect Bilston High Street to the new Urban Village. Demolition of derelict buildings on the High Street to create an opening to the link has now been completed.
The £3.25 million LGF allocation will be spread over the next 2 financial years. It is part of the wider Black Country LEP Growth Deal which will see £162 million invested between 2015 and 2021. The Deal will lever an additional £312 million in public and private investment and lead to the creation of at least 5,000 jobs and 1,400 new homes.
- released: Thursday 5 March, 2015