Housing scheme set to transform former industrial site
A new housing scheme is set to transform several acres of derelict land in the Black Country after a funding deal was agreed to remediate a former industrial site.
A total of 84 homes are to be built off Mill Lane in Oldbury after the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) agreed to invest £1.4m towards the cost of cleaning up the site to make it ready for housing.
The funding deal means developer Lioncourt can now press ahead with the regeneration of the 5.6 acre brownfield site which has stood empty and neglected since its last remaining industrial buildings were demolished in the 1990s.
The development will see Lioncourt build 16 semi-detached houses for sale on a shared ownership basis due to a clause in all WMCA funding grants which requires at least 20% of the new homes to be classed affordable for local people.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “One of the biggest challenges we face in the West Midlands is the need to build 215,000 new homes by 2031, and to make sure a good proportion of these homes are affordable for local people. At the same time we also have a vast amount of industrial land crying out for redevelopment which has sat derelict for decades.
“This latest development in Oldbury is a great example of how, by using derelict brownfield land, we can both relieve pressure on the Green Belt and help protect our environment for future generations, while also providing people with quality, affordable homes that will help to meet our 2031 housing target.”
Cllr Yvonne Davies, leader of Sandwell Council, added: “The site has been a vacant eyesore for a number of years and we have worked tirelessly with numerous landowners over that time to secure residential development.
“We were delighted when the site was purchased by Lioncourt Homes and our planners worked closely with them on the proposals to create a quality residential scheme that will provide much needed homes in a sustainable waterfront location.
“We are also proud that this is another example of Sandwell securing wider benefits for our communities, securing jobs and apprenticeships as a result of regeneration investment.”
The Mill Lane site is considered a key location being close to major transport routes and just 400 yards from Langley Green Rail Station.
Rupert Detheridge of BTS acted for Lioncourt Homes in the submission of the grant application, which ensured that the project moved forward.
Access to the funding was provided by Frontier Development Capital, who work closely with the WMCA to invest in property developments that support economic growth in the West Midlands.
