The public are being invited to have their say on the regeneration of one of the largest brownfield sites in the region.

Sandwell Council are working with West Midlands Combined Authority to bring forward a long-standing, allocated housing site in Wednesbury, now referred to as Friar Park Urban Village.

The regeneration scheme will transform this 67 acre site, most of which is underused and contaminated, into a community asset which should benefit both new and existing residents.

Initial proposals were first put to the public in 2021 and their feedback proved invaluable to the development of the plans. Since then, significant work has been undertaken in drawing up a draft masterplan. This plan sets out how the site could provide much-needed, new homes alongside new high-quality, green spaces and facilities that respond to the local community’s needs and expectations.

The draft masterplan proposes around 630 high-quality, new homes, to complement and integrate with the existing community. At least 25% of these new properties will be classed as affordable/social housing.

Phase 2 of the consultation launches this week and runs for six weeks. Feedback given during this consultation will help shape the final masterplan. This will help to form the vision for the future development of Friar Park Urban Village.

It will also provide development and design guidance for developers so they can deliver solutions that fully support the aspirations for the site. Cllr Mike Bird, the WMCA’s portfolio holder for housing and land and leader of Walsall Council, said:

“This is one of the biggest redevelopment sites in the region, but it has sat empty for more than 30 years with no developer willing to take it on.

“Yet, by working closely with Sandwell Council and by using the money we have secured from Government for the WMCA’s nationally-leading, ‘brownfield first’ regeneration programme, we have been able to finally unlock this site to provide new homes and jobs for local people and reduce pressure to build in the green belt.

“The public gave us some valuable feedback when we put the initial plans to them last year and their feedback helped shape this draft masterplan.

“But we are determined that the final scheme meets all the needs and aspirations of the local community and I would urge everyone with an interest to have their say in this latest consultation.” 

Both the WMCA and SMBC believe the development presents ‘exciting opportunities’ for the community, providing an attractively designed, sustainable, and healthy new urban village.

As part of the Phase 2 Consultation, the public are invited to attend drop-in public information events to view the proposals and speak to experts about the project.

The events will be held at the Friar Park Millennium Centre on Friar Park Road on Friday 25th November (12pm-4pm) and Saturday 26th November (10am-2pm)

The public can also take part by viewing information and providing feedback on the website at friarparkurbanvillage.co.uk or by sending questions and comments via email to hello@friarparkurbanvillage.co.uk.

The closing date for comments is 9am 19th December 2022.