THE West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has signed a partnership deal with leading property developer St. Modwen to build 5,000 high quality, energy efficient homes on disused industrial land over the next decade.
The agreement will support the WMCA’s target to deliver 215,000 new homes across the region by 2031 in order to meet future housing and economic demand and support the authority’s wider inclusive growth mission and purpose.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “By working with St. Modwen we’ve managed to unlock one of the region’s most iconic brownfield sites – Longbridge’s West Works.
“I am therefore delighted that we’ve signed this MOU to continue to work together on more schemes in the future, as we look to build more homes and create more jobs right across the West Midlands.
All 5,000 homes will be designed to be low energy in operation, reflecting the requirements of the UK’s Future Homes Standard and supporting both St. Modwen and WMCA’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions.
As with every WMCA investment, the agreement will see a minimum of 20% of the new homes classed as affordable under the authority’s own definition which is linked to real world local wages rather than property prices.
Robert Flavell, senior director at St. Modwen, said: “St. Modwen is very proud to be able to sign up to this landmark agreement with the WMCA which will help bring much needed new homes and jobs to areas throughout the West Midlands.
“The regeneration of Longbridge is a fine example of how partnership working can bring huge economic, social and environmental benefits.
“Our plans for West Longbridge will deliver high-quality, energy efficient and environmentally friendly new homes, new commercial space which will bring investment and jobs to the town and a range of green spaces for people to enjoy.”
On completion, the wider regeneration of Longbridge will see up to 2,800 new homes and two million sqft of commercial floorspace delivered, and up to 10,000 jobs created.
