Regeneration policies approved that could deliver £1.8bn to Sandwell
Sandwell Council has approved regeneration policies for the next five years that could deliver up to £1.8bn in the borough.
As part of the council’s recovery plan following the pandemic, it aims to build 4,300 homes, invest more than £57m into ten education and skills facilities, assist more than 4,000 new learners or apprentices and support 23 transport projects.
In addition, it will deliver the £67.5m Towns Fund projects in West Bromwich, Smethwick and Rowley Regis, including around £14m town centre investment in West Bromwich for retail diversification and urban greening projects.
The council says it wants to move towards a balance of investments across Sandwell’s six towns. It plans to deliver new homes and commercial floorspace in Tipton, new transport connectivity schemes, new homes and education infrastructure in Oldbury, and new homes, a health centre and education infrastructure in Wednesbury.
Councillor Iqbal Padda, the cabinet member for regeneration and growth, said: “Sandwell Council’s regeneration policies – which we are working on closely with a range of partners, businesses and the local community – will set priorities that are right for the borough, scope opportunities, recognise local constraints and help to create the environment for inclusive growth.
“They will ensure that our workforce and young people are skilled and talented, geared up to respond to changing business needs and to win rewarding jobs in a growing economy, delivering on our vision of a healthier, wealthier and more sustainable Sandwell across all six towns.”
Three schemes have been approved so far by the government, a digital den at Woods Lane Community Centre in West Bromwich, and Sandwell College’s Civil and Mechanical Engineering Centre, a new technical campus on West Bromwich High Street.
