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Western Growth Corridor
The Western Growth Corridor covers about 1000 hectares of land between Birmingham
City centre and west Bromwich town centre , being split approximately 50/50 between
Birmingham and Sandwell local authority areas.
Why is the western growth corridor important ?
The latest prediction is that by 2021 there will be an increase of 12, 000 households
within the Urban Living area , mostly due to a natural growth in the population
from the existing population . The Western Growth corridor represents that part
of the Urban Living area with the most potential to accept housing growth, containing
extensive industrial land and other non-housing use. Within the area, the Dudley
Road and Soho Road have been identified as key corridors where investment and growth
will be encouraged.
What are the main issues within the Western Growth Corridor
?
Significant housing market and physical environment issues are unresolved. In addition
to improving the environmental quality across the area there is a need to restructure
parts of the urban form. Much of the area reflects economic activities from the
past with low intensity uses, redundant or under-used land that is no longer fit
for purpose. It is anticipated that some of this land will need to be converted
to housing use to contribute to the needs of local communities and the wider community
. It must be stressed that this is a long term project and we would expect the public
sector to be involved for a minimum of ten years.
What has happened this year ?
Urban living has commissioned a spatial strategy whose aim is to provide baseline
and contextual information about the Western Growth Corridor that will underpin
the aim of creating sustainable neighbourhoods. This work was completed in June
2008.
What happens next ?
More detailed master plans within the Western Growth Corridor, for example Smethwick
will be developed with the local communities.
The master plans will form the basis of proposed action in the future by the public
sector.
Urban living have been co-ordinating the activities of the public sector agencies
within the area. The local authorities , English partnerships and Advantage West
Midlands have jointly agreed potential investment opportunities and we anticipate
bringing some sites into public sector ownership by the close of the 2008/09 financial
year.
For more information contact Nick Corbett on 0121 565 6540 nick_corbett@sandwell.gov.uk
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