Black Country Garden City set to bloom at MIPIM

One of Britain’s biggest ever brownfield site regeneration programmes, the Black Country Garden City, has been unveiled to investors at the MIPIM property exhibition in Cannes.

The Black Country LEP, the Homes and Communities Agency and the four Black Country local authorities are collaborating on the project, which could see the development of more than 45,000 new homes over the next 10 years.

The garden city extends to more than 1,500 hectares and 10 Garden City sites across the area are already live, with 500 units currently under construction and new residents already living in completed homes in Goscote Lane, Walsall.

The various partners believe there is an opportunity to lever £6bn of investment directly through the Garden City over the next 10 years, with the programme possibly becoming a magnet for further indirect investment through the established automotive, aerospace and construction sectors – all of which are well represented in the Black Country.

Dr Chris Handy, Black Country LEP board member said: “The Black Country is already signed up to deliver the Garden City over the next 10 years, the principles are a means to ensure we are all delivering homes at the right quality, in the right areas, making the most of existing infrastructure.

“Through the Black Country Garden City we want to create a mixed economy of housing from affordable homes through to executive housing alongside high quality, and sustainable, amenities to ensure we attract and retain people within the Black Country. Not only do we want people to work in the Black Country, we want them to make the Black Country their home.”

To ensure the scheme is delivered to the highest standard, the partnership has drawn up a set of principles which developers will have to abide by.

The principles cover:
1.    Land use – developers will be encouraged to bring under-used land assets back into productive use.
2.    Black Country – will the scheme make the most of the major assets of the Black Country such as green areas, built heritage and the canal network.
3.    Garden – does the scheme integrate eco-sensitive planting and food growing into well designed streets and spaces.
4.    Easy to get around – is the development well connected internally and more widely by all modes of transport?
5.    Facilities and services – will residents have easy access to shops, schools, workplaces, parks, play areas, pubs and cafes?
6.    Distinctive – does the scheme have a clear identity, expressed through its architecture, public spaces and the way it is marketed?
7.    Enterprising – does the scheme support the creation and development of new business?
8.    Engaging – will the scheme involve its residents in the management of their new community?
9.    Smart – does the scheme harness technological innovation in its construction and operation to make it more sustainable and successful?
10.    Healthy – does the scheme promote healthy lifestyle?

The Black Country is part of a Midlands-wide delegation – featuring 10 LEP areas and 49 private and public sector partners – exhibiting at MIPIM for the first time.

• TheBusinessDesk.com, in association with Marketing Birmingham, will be in Cannes for this week’s MIPIM event. Check out our exclusive coverage here