Decision details

The Friar Park Redevelopment Project is on a site of approximately 26 hectares in the north of Sandwell, close to its border with Walsall. It is in
dual ownership with the Council owning approximately 14 hectares and the other 12 hectares (approximately) owned by WMCA.
The site is predominantly allocated for residential use in the Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan.

Friar Park is an area with high levels of deprivation and represents a significant opportunity for SMBC to deliver high-quality, affordable and efficient homes that would have a transformational impact on the area.
In June 2019 SMBC Cabinet approved a formal Joint Venture agreement between SMBC and WMCA to collaboratively deliver the project, given their significant land holding across the site.

A masterplanning process began in 2020 which aims to provide an aspirational vision for the site in consultation with local residents and stakeholders. Community consultation took place in mid-2021 and a number of options were considered and commented upon by the community.

In November 2021, the Friar Park Project board, attended by senior representatives from both SMBC and WMCA, determined that a comprehensive approach to land remediation should be delivered which, in turn, facilitated up to 630 homes. As such, the draft masterplan aims to deliver c.630 homes, 25% of which are affordable as per SMBC policy.

Work began on the second phase of the draft masterplan in May 2022. This aims to develop the scheme in more detail, followed by further consultation with the local community and key stakeholders which is currently planned for a start in November 2022 and will complete in December 2022.

The draft Masterplan was presented to the Project Board on16/09/22. It was positively received, and approval was given to proceed with public consultation, subject to SMBC internal and political approval.
It should be noted that the draft masterplan proposes a net increase in the amount of open space that would be accessible to residents.

Proposed Process

Subject to approval, a 6-week consultation period is proposed, which aligns with the Council’s consultation commitment within the Statement of Community Intent.

Following this period of community consultation, amendments will be made to the document based on the feedback received. Following amendments the final version of the Masterplan will be presented to Cabinet in Q1 2023 for approval, upon which the document will become a material planning consideration for any future planning applications on the site.

Scrutiny Chair has been briefed on the proposed approach on 24/10/22.
The proposed timeline is outlined below:

24th October 2022 - Scrutiny Chair briefing (informal).
26th October 2022- Leader briefing (informal).
31st October 2022 - Delegated Decision of Cabinet Member to commence a 6-week period of public consultation from 3rd November 2022.
2nd November 2022 - Key stakeholder meeting.
7th November 2022 - Start of public consultation.
16th December 2022 - End of public consultation.
January 2022 - Refine Masterplan based on consultation to create final draft version.
Q1 2023 - Submit final Masterplan to Cabinet for endorsement.

Friar Park Draft Masterplan Document

The Masterplan document itself aims to develop and agree the preferred development approach. It will set a shared vision for the site informed by the aspirations of SMBC, WMCA and local residents/stakeholders. It will also clearly define the site’s key challenges and opportunities.

The Masterplan is cantered on 6 core principles:

• A people focused, friendly and, engaged community- A place that delivers a true sense of community where people feel part of its present and future, fostering community ownership of the place.

• A place full of possibilities- A growing community that offers quality of life and opportunities for all generations to live for generations.

• A friendly, welcoming and, connected community- A place where people know their neighbours and feel connected with, the existing neighbourhood.

• A beautiful, imaginative and unique place- Use of high quality and innovative design and use of materials to deliver a high quality of life and a unique identity.

• A green and natural place- An attractive, multi- functional landscape which lets nature thrive alongside its community.

• A sustainable, active and healthy place- A place that minimises its impact on the environment, providing a place which is resilient to change and encourages a healthy and engaged lifestyle.

That approval be given to the Friar Park Project Team to proceed with public consultation on the draft version of the Masterplan, starting on November 7.

That the Friar Park Project Team, upon approval, proceed with a planned campaign of marketing to raise awareness of the Masterplan consultation exercise.

That the Friar Park Project Team begin a process of key stakeholder engagement in advance of public engagement exercise. This is proposed for the 2 of November and will include the following key stakeholders:

• Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth
• Friar Park Ward Members (Friar Park and Wednesbury North)
• Executive Board of the Wednesbury Action Group
• Chief Officer- Millennium Centre
• Head teacher(s) of nearby schools
• Head of the allotments
• Representative from the Police
• Representative from Network Rail

That a report be provided to Cabinet in Q1 2023 outlining the outcomes of the public consultation and recommending next steps in relation to Cabinet endorsing (or otherwise) the draft Masterplan.

As per the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement, SMBC commit to a minimum 6-week consultation on key planning policy. As such, it is proposed that the period of public consultation for the Friar Park Masterplan aligns with this. Delegated approval will allow for the public consultation to occur before the Christmas period. This is important as it allows for a single uninterrupted period of consultation and will ensure the Council is not perceived to be acting in bad faith, by scheduling a consultation exercise over a public holiday period.
A comprehensive marketing campaign is important to ensure wide publication of the consultation exercise. This will allow the widest section of the community to be informed and able to participate. Again, this is important as it will help to provide robust consultation data, but also protects the Council against accusations of constricting community involvement.
It is important to engage in more detail with key stakeholders as this will allow early foresight of critical issues, which can be more quickly addressed and helps to raise awareness and positive sentiment within the community.

Option 1: Do nothing- this option would signify a continuation of the status quo and fail to deliver against Sandwell’s housing delivery targets. The site would continue to be underutilised, remain highly contaminated and would not deliver any wider regenerative benefit to Friar Park.

Option 2: Sell SMBC site to developer- SMBC could choose to sell their site in isolation. However, this would fail to deliver a comprehensive
regeneration proposal and would not capitalise on any economies of scale that results from inclusion of both SMBC and WMCA land ownerships. This increases the risk that future developments in isolation would be disjointed and uncomplimentary.

Option 3 (recommended): Continue the development of phase II of the masterplan and associated public consultation- this option would see the development of an aspirational Masterplan for the entirety of the site, which would outline SMBC’s strategic vision for the area. This option would not only allow the public to contribute to proposals through proposed community consultation, but also secure a comprehensive regeneration opportunity and provide confidence to the developer market.