First phase Smithgate land deal set for green light

Plans to develop up to 1,000 new homes on council-owned land in Wolverhampton will take a step forward next week, after land-sale proposals for the city centre site were recommended for approval.

City of Wolverhampton Council is expected to formally sign off the disposal of land at its cabinet meeting on 10 December, which would signal construction of a 331-home first phase of the development, known as the Bicycle Works.

Planning permission for the scheme on the largely vacant 12-acre site near Market Square, formerly known as City Centre West, was granted in March. The site is being developed by ECF, a partnership between Muse, Homes England and Legal & General.

Maggie Grogan, regional managing director at ECF, said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council on this transformative scheme. We’re really excited about the upcoming milestone that will enable us to begin works at Smithgate towards the end of this year.”

“This project represents a shared vision for creating vibrant, sustainable communities, and together we’re delivering much-needed homes and spaces that will help the city centre thrive for generations to come.”

The city council says the scheme will unlock economic benefits, create employment and increase footfall in the city centre.

“The land deal will enable the first-phase delivery of this game-changing development that will contribute to the economic, social and environmental regeneration of our city centre,” said Cllr Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills.

“We have worked hard with our chosen developer to bring forward ambitious plans that will transform this key brownfield site and redefine urban living in our city.

“This comes on the back of a catalogue of regeneration schemes set to boost the city centre economy – the £61 million City Learning Quarter recently opened to students, the first part of our current £19million city centre improvement works programme has been completed, and the £150 million redevelopment of Canalside South is seeing the first homes coming out of the ground.”

The council approval for the scheme in July last year required any decisions to dispose of land at below market value would be subject to a further vote at cabinet. No formal value for the proposed land sale is offered up in a redacted council briefing, published on the authority’s website this morning.

“While the receipt is below market value, the disposal will unlock significant economic benefits, including job additions, skills opportunities and increased footfall in the city, in addition to addressing housing needs,” it says.

“In the longer term, it is anticipated this could help stimulate the local economy, protecting businesses in the city centre and attracting new businesses, thereby safeguarding / generating additional business rates.”