[To receive presentation from Tim Johnson, Strategic Director, Education and Enterprise of the City's key spatial regeneration priorities and current position.
The presentation will also cover some of the resulting issues that need to be addressed to ensure people in the city benefit from current and planned investment.]
Minutes:
Tim Johnson gave an overview of the key strategic regeneration areas of the Wolverhampton, current and future development work, and the overall vision for the future of the City. Tim Johnson commented in detail on the work being done in the following areas during the presentation:
· J2/i54
· City centre
· Bilston
Tim Johnson commented that the three areas offered the best opportunity to regenerate the City.
Tim Johnson commented on the opportunity to develop Council owned land on the site of i54 which could support its future expansion and encourage developers to the area. Tim Johnson commented on the enquiries received from developers who have expressed an interest in moving to the site and the work being done to improve transport links to the area.
Tim Johnson commented that the new Sainsbury store was open in the City centre and that the new Tesco site was expected to open in early 2015. Tim Johnson commented on the work being done to regenerate the City centre and specifically the plans for the Westside and Southside developments. Tim Johnson commented on the work being done to also retain existing businesses in the area.
Tim Johnson commented that there are discussions about the future plans for the indoor market, but nothing has been decided. Tim Johnson commented that no new indoor markets had been developed in the last 30 years in the UK, which is a sign of the change in shopping patterns. The current market offer needs to be developed as part of the overall City centre offer.
Tim Johnson commented about discussions with the Department of Transport about the interchange project and the development of a new car park. Tim Johnson commented on developer interest on the ‘block 10’ site near the station.
Tim commented on the Canalside quarter development and the plans for the redevelopment of the Springfield Brewery site. Tim Johnson commented that discussions ongoing about redeveloping the site as a national centre to provide training on construction and education for young people. Tim Johnson also commented on the plans for the redevelopment of the former Sunbeam factory site.
Cllr Rowley welcomed the plans to redevelop both sites which have been empty for many years.
Tim Johnson commented on the importance of the cultural and entertainment offer in helping to regenerate the City centre.
Tim Johnson commented on the local growth fund bids that will used to redevelop the Civic Halls and the Grand Theatre and increase its capacity. Tim Johnson commented the importance of the investment of the University in the city. Tim Johnson commented on the work being done with Wolverhampton College which had missed out on past investment opportunities.
Tim Johnson commented on the vision for the future of the Bilston and the work being done to bring forward developments
Cllr Bateman commented on the need to consider how funding can be used to also support the development of other areas of the City and would like all areas to benefit from the planned investment.
Tim Johnson commented on the importance of focus on regenerating key areas of the city and unlocking their potential of those sites which have been derelict for some time. The regeneration of these areas was considered to be key to the work being done to improve the City, but it will take time to deliver the changes.
Resolved
1. The Panel agreed to receive the presentation.
2. The Panel welcomed the presentation and supported the work being done to regenerate the City.
The meeting ended at 8pm.