To undertake consultation on the Draft Smethwick to Birmingham Regeneration Corridor Area Framework and Grove Lane Masterplan for six weeks between June and August 2021.
Presented By:Strong and Inclusive Economy
Minutes:
Approval was sought to undertake consultation on the Draft Smethwick to Birmingham Regeneration Corridor Area Framework and Grove Lane Masterplan for six weeks between June and August 2021.
The area around Grove Lane was set to see significant transformational change with the introduction of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital due to open late 2022. The area surrounding the hospital had been identified for regeneration for some time with sites being allocated for residential since 2012. The area was awarded Housing Zone status in 2016 and one of the projects in the Towns Fund bid addresses the need to kick-start development here by acquiring and remediating some sites adjacent to existing public owned land to act as a first phase of development.
However, other opportunities for growth within the corridor exist between Smethwick and City Hospital in Birmingham. Partners with an interest in this regeneration corridor considered the preparation of an Area Framework which sought to identify regeneration and redevelopment opportunities (including interventions in local centres and potential repurposing of employment land) and deliverable, costed, place-making projects for the Corridor for the Partners to take forward. It would also look at a transport strategy to identify highway improvements and promotion of alternative modes of transport to the motor car.
In addition, the commission involved detailed masterplanning around Grove Lane to ascertain the amount and type of development that could be accommodated for the future residents, linkages and green spaces and the provision of a new primary school to support the new residents. This would be an update on the masterplan produced in 2010, taking into account the changes over time and would be linked to the wider Area Framework.
The partners leading on this work consisted of Sandwell Council, Birmingham City Council, WMCA and TfWM, Homes England, Canal & River Trust and the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. This work was being funded jointly by Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Council, WMCA and Homes England.
Consultants were appointed in December through a procurement process led by Birmingham City Council and utilising the Homes England Framework. They had undertaken stakeholder engagement which had lead onto developing draft projects to be considered. Running alongside the development of the Area Framework will be the detailed masterplanning for Grove Lane. A webpage was made available to residents to register interest in finding out more during the forthcoming consultation period and relevant members from both authorities were briefed with details of the ongoing work. All consultation would be undertaken within the COVID guidelines operative at that time. A range of consultation methods would be utilised to ensure engagement with as wide an audience is achieved as possible.
In terms of the future programme, following Cabinet approval to consult, public consultation would take place between June and August for a period of six weeks. The final reports should be complete in August/September 2021. A report on the consultation responses and proposed changes would be brought to Cabinet in due course.
Reason for Decision
The Draft Area Framework and Masterplan had been prepared following engagement with officers, Members and stakeholders covering both Smethwick and Birmingham local authority areas.
Work to date had regard to current policy as well as acknowledging future anticipated changes. Consultation with the wider public, businesses, community groups and other interested parties would enable the options put forward to be further refined and developed into a final document that, once approved, would form the basis for future decision making that would assist in bringing forward regeneration benefits to the area.
Alternative Options Considered
Not progressing with a Masterplan for the area surrounding the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital would not create a platform from which to promote development opportunities in this area. The continued regeneration envisioned for this area would not be achieved and it would prevent the development of up to 800 much needed homes, a primary school and employment opportunities not being realised within one of the most deprived areas of Sandwell.
Agreed:-
(1) tat approval be given to the consultation on the Draft Smethwick to Birmingham Regeneration Corridor Area Framework and Grove Lane Masterplan for six weeks between June and August 2020;
(2) that the Interim Director Regeneration and Growth be authorised to make minor changes to the Area Framework or Masterplan prior to consultation commencing if required.