Memorandum submitted by Walsall Regeneration
Company
BRITISH WATERWAYS
REGENERATION AND RESTORATION ROLE
1. EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Using the canal as an artery for regeneration
is a major strategic objective for Walsall Regeneration Company.
A number of our major transformational projects are located along
or adjacent to the canals within the area. Developing an effective
partnership with British Waterways has been a key aim of WRC.
2. The practical outcome of working in a
proactive way with British Waterways, alongside developers, the
Local Authority and Advantage West Midlands among others has accelerated
progress on a number of these schemes, particularly Walsall Waterfront.
The quality of that partnership working was recognised by the
achievement of "highly commended team" in the Annual
RegenWM Awards.
3. Walsall Regeneration Company are very
keen to develop further their positive relationship with British
Waterways, not only in terms of the conservation and enhancement
of the waterways, but also through the development process. In
our experience the early involvement of British Waterways has
resulted in added value for the community, environment, economy,
as well as the developer. We would urge the Committee to encourage
British Waterways to continue its good work and look forward to
the benefits for all of the diverse communities of Walsall.
4. BACKGROUND
Established in March 2004, Walsall Regeneration
Company was formed to champion and facilitate the physical regeneration
of 780 hectares of Walsall. Our designated area includes the town
centre and neighbouring areas, canalside communities to the north
and the nationally significant Darlaston Strategic Development
Area, straddling the M6 to the south west.
5. We have the strong support of a powerful
partnership, driven by our founding partners, Advantage West Midlands,
English Partnerships and Walsall Council, and are working successfully
with the private sector, other public sector organisations and
community stakeholders to deliver a co-ordinated programme of
transformational regeneration. British Waterways are a key and
active partner in a number of our projects.
6. WRC is focused on attracting a total
of more than £750 million of private and public sector investment
over the next decade, creating more than 5,500 jobs, over 1,500
new homes and reclaiming in excess of 70 hectares of land. One
of our strategic aims is to utilise the canal as an artery for
regeneration. In that context we have included a number of transformational
projects within our "Prospectus for Growth" where the
active involvement of British Waterways is critical to effect
delivery. Details of these are set out below:
7. WATERFRONT
The inspirational Waterfront project will as
a whole transform 17 acres of derelict land around Town Wharf
and the canal arm into an exciting "waterside quarter"
as part of a revitalised town centre. When complete it is expected
that around 700 new jobs will have been created.
8. With the iconic New Art Gallery as its
anchor, Waterfront will be a vibrant mixed-use development, featuring
more than 650 sustainable designer homes, offices, café-bars
and restaurants, alongside cultural facilities, public artworks,
and new bridges and basins.
9. A key feature will be 10,000 square meters
of 21st century office space housed within two buildings.
10. Waterfront North
Planning approval for the ambitious £65
million Phase One proposals by Urban Splash was granted in November
2006 and construction will start on site in March 2008.
11. With support from regional development
agency Advantage West Midlands, the proposals are for seven new
buildings, designed by celebrated architects Shedkm, SMC Alsop
and Querkraft, and include the iconic "Oyster" buildings.
12. In total 154 new homes will be created,
along with new offices, ground floor retail and leisure space,
parking for 630 cars, two new public spaces and, potentially,
a hotel. The attractive Wharfingers Cottage will be developed
into a canalside bar or restaurant as part of the scheme.
13. Waterfront South
Occupying two parcels of land to the north of Charles
Street, Waterfront South forms an integral part of the regeneration
and transformation of Walsall town centre.
14. The £65 million Jessup scheme,
for which planning permission was given in June 2007, consists
of 360 apartments and houses, a 4,800 sq metre office block plus
twin-deck parking and other commercial spaces for offices, restaurants
and café bars. The design utilises the canalside location
with the incorporation of "wave form" buildings and
ripple paving.
15. Environmental features include "green
roofs" and the use of natural solar gain to reduce carbon
emissions.
16. Along with a new pedestrian bridge over
the canal, improvements to the towpath will provide a safe and
attractive pedestrian link between the town centre and the Manor
Hospital.
17. Waterfront Lex
The appropriate redevelopment of the 2.1 acre
Lex site, which lies at the western end of the northern section
of Waterfront, will be a key element in the successful delivery
of the regeneration of the Waterfront as a whole.
18. With the potential to complement the
emerging Office Corridor and wider town centre initiatives, it
can be seen as the "final piece in the jigsaw" in the
comprehensive regeneration of the Waterfront and also as the gateway
to Walsall town centre, when arriving from Junction 10 of the
M6 less than a mile to the west.
19. The Lex site offers the opportunity
for a different kind of mixed-use development, potentially with
three "anchor" uses—a high quality business hotel
including 21st century conferencing facilities, the creation of
a world class research or education facility, such as an Institute
for Photonics Research, and a multi-purpose performance venue
with the flexibility for theatre or arena-based productions.
20. CANALSIDE
COMMUNITIES
Significant progress has been made on shaping
proposals that will link new and existing neighbourhoods alongside
Walsall Canal, a historic asset that through sustainable physical
regeneration will provide an attractive environment for the creation
of new homes that will attract individuals and families to live
in the borough.
21. Sites from the town centre, through
Reedswood and beyond to Leamore have the capacity to create more
than 1,100 new homes along the canal corridor and will contribute
towards the goal of building, on average, 200 new homes each year
during WRC's lifetime.
22. Creating canalside communities that
will breathe new life into under-utilised land is one of the key
aims of WRC to revitalise the town and demonstrate early delivery
of the transformation set out in the Black Country Study.
23. Caparo Site, Birchills
A major residential regeneration opportunity
across a 16-acre site previously used by Caparo Industries. The
full planning application for this 300 unit scheme was due for
submission in Jan 2008.
24. Birch Street
SMC Corstorphine & Wright (Architects),
Walsall Council, WRC and the developer's agent have prepared a
series of proposals for this 12-acre site. Working closely with
local community representatives has resulted in the development
of an innovative mix of "linked" public open spaces
and housing styles. Consultants have now been appointed to develop
a detailed remediation strategy.
25. DARLASTON
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
AREA
A major strategic site of some 54 developable
acres, Darlaston SDA represents one of the West Midlands' prime
regeneration opportunities.
26. Falling both sides of the M6, its central
location and direct link to the very heart of the national motorway
network makes it a favourable proposition for major national and
international companies looking to establish a regional base.
27. With substantial investment required
to remediate the land, WRC's strategy is built around a clear
focus on delivering solutions, including establishing a close
working relationship with the Environment Agency an approach that
is becoming recognised as an innovative model of best practice.
28. WRC is seeking to create a high quality
environment, emphasising the area's heritage and canal, which
will form an early feature of the Black Country Urban Park.
29. Darlaston SDA has the potential to create
between 2,500 and 4,500 jobs over two phases.
Dr. Peter Cromar, Chief
Executive
Walsall Regeneration Company
February 2008
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