Friar Park Sandwell
The Friar Park Urban Village comprises one of the largest brownfield residential development sites in the region and offers a 27 hectare residential development opportunity in Wednesbury close to the heart of the motorway network.
OPPORTUNITY
Located approximately 2 miles from Wednesbury Town Centre and 100 metres from Tame Bridge Parkway Station, the development will seek to overcome the challenges arising from the historic legacy of industrial use whilst realising a number of opportunities. The long-awaited transformation of one of the largest brownfield sites in the region is anticipated to become a major flagship for the regeneration of brownfield land throughout the industry.
Promoter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council & West Midlands Combined Authority
Sector: £140m GDV
Location: Sandwell
Investment Type: Delivery Partner
Programme: 2022-2030
Planning Status: The site is allocated in the adopted Development Plan for residential development
Website: www.sandwell.gov.uk/Regeneratingsandwell
BACKGROUND
Following the acquisition of the site by the West Midlands Combined Authority, a joint venture partnership was established with Sandwell Council to secure the comprehensive Master planning and delivery of the site.
The completed masterplan has jointly been developed by the partners which will be utilised to inform and assist development proposals, progress planning applications and the remediation strategy.
DESCRIPTION
The site is in an area of the West Midlands region with strong housing demand. Sandwell Council’s housing need has been calculated as 1,488 homes per annum for the period 2014-2036.
The masterplan, which covers a site area of 27 hectares, seeks to overcome the challenges of former land uses, the proximity to Bescot Sidings and the M6, poor connectivity and anti-social behaviour. Using Garden City principles, the masterplan promotes a well-connected, integrated development which strengthens the existing community through the provision of 630 new homes of which 25% would be affordable, and 10 hectares of publicly accessible open space, with a cycle and footpath network providing opportunities for travel and recreation.
PROMOTER AND PARTNERSHIPS
The partners will shortly be seeking a development partner who shares the vision of aspirational regeneration of this strategically important site through providing a highly sustainable neighbourhood comprising high quality – energy efficient homes, new public open spaces enhancing site biodiversity, and opportunities to promote active travel as well as capitalising on the local public transport network.
LOCATION
Sandwell is home to 325,000 people and around 9,000 businesses who collectively employ over 140,000 people. Sandwell is strategically located adjacent to the UK’s second city, and 90% of the population of England and Wales can be accessed within 2 hours either from the motorway network (M6 & M5), or the national rail network.
The site is located approx. 3.2km (2 miles) from Wednesbury Town Centre. Birmingham New St Station can be accessed in 15 minutes utilising the local train network from Tame Bridge Parkway Station located 100 metres from the site.