The provisional Levelling Up round 3 award comes ahead of the Government’s autumn statement and recognises the calibre of the bid initially put forward by the council for round 2 funding.
The aim of the Green Innovation Corridor is to build on Wolverhampton’s growth as a centre for sustainable construction and create skilled jobs for local people in the emerging green economy.
It will focus on creating high value jobs in specialist sectors, support student retention, harness home grown talent, develop new opportunities for business investment and growth, and leverage private sector funding.
The initial phases for the Green Innovation Corridor will focus on the Springfield Innovation Hub to be developed net carbon zero and based at the University of Wolverhampton’s £120 million Springfield site - an architecture and built environment super campus acting as the city’s epicentre for the National Centre for Sustainable Construction. Future phases include ‘Six Mile Green’ at Wolverhampton Science Park and Cross Street North.
The long term vision is to connect key city assets at the Springfield Campus with Wolverhampton Science Park and link the city centre with the advanced manufacturing cluster in the north of Wolverhampton.
It will stimulate wider regeneration along the corridor by acting as a catalyst for additional private sector investment in the Science Park, unlocking brownfield sites for the development of sustainable and affordable housing, and improving the city’s green spaces and canalside areas.
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “I am delighted the quality of the council led submission was too good to ignore after being recognised by the Government as ‘high quality’ and ‘ready to deliver’.
“The team has worked extremely hard to get to this point and it is a scheme well supported by Jane Stevenson MP, West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, and the University of Wolverhampton, and I welcome the strength of this partnership.
“The City of Wolverhampton’s vision for the Green Innovation Corridor will drive the Green Industrial Revolution, building upon Wolverhampton’s sustainable construction, green credentials and circular economy for transformation that will create quality jobs for local people.
“We are a bold and ambitious city with a track record of delivery. The city council, working with public and private sector partners, makes a real difference to residents and businesses.
“This £20 million award will help us deliver the Green Innovation Corridor linking the city’s key assets in skills, research and high end manufacturing; building upon the strengths of the National Centre for Sustainable Construction and Wolverhampton Science Park.”
