Residential
Urban Regeneration
Willenhall
Willenhall is a historic town within Walsall Borough and is located between the centres of Walsall and Wolverhampton. Willenhall is a key priority area within the Walsall to Wolverhampton Growth Corridor. Willenhall’s location, being close to M6 motorway at Junction 10 and the Black Country Enterprise Zone, and part of a priority regeneration corridor, provides an opportunity to invest in this historic town to deliver transformational placemaking and inspirational housing. Willenhall is set to have a new railway station which is expected to open in 2025/26. The new station will improve connections to Birmingham, Wolverhampton and to opportunities across the wider region. The planned arrival of the station has the ability to transform demand for residential development in Willenhall, providing an opportunity to promote sustainable development and communities.
The Willenhall Framework Plan, supported by the Council’s Cabinet in February 2022, has been prepared to support comprehensive housing growth and healthy, prosperous communities across an identified area of the town. The ten-year vision is that:
Willenhall will grow into a vibrant, connected and welcoming town with a strong sense of place which celebrates its diverse communities and promotes safe, healthy and active lifestyles. Quality design and sustainable construction will move Willenhall towards a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.
The Willenhall Framework Plan aims to deliver over 500 new high-quality homes across a range of tenures that meet the needs of the community. The Framework Plan has identified four Areas of Opportunity which, supported by the public sector, will be the focus of a phased development and delivery programme.
Key facts
In delivering the vision, Willenhall will:
- Provide a range of high-quality, energy efficient, attractive new homes providing housing choice across a full affordability range
- Provide access to opportunities for the people of Willenhall connected to the wider region through the new Willenhall railway station
- Maximise the benefit from the economic growth and investment across the West Midlands
- Create a healthy and high-quality living environment where residents are easily able to walk and cycle
- Benefit from high quality, green and active public spaces and links to create an attractive environment for residents and visitors
- Be a greener town, which will enhance the opportunity for family play, safe social gathering and physical activity built around a series of linked character areas and public spaces
- Be a healthy town with a range of schools, health care and community services
Opportunity location
Why invest in Walsall?
Walsall is one of the metropolitan areas in the Black Country sub-region and neighbours the City of Birmingham. The M6 runs through the Borough, with Junctions 9 and 10 giving direct access to Walsall, whilst the M5, M42, M54 and M6 Toll are also nearby. Walsall is benefitting from significant investment in its rail infrastructure through line electrification, development of new stations, and increased routes and service frequencies. With highways, local transport and rail network, the Borough has a catchment area of five million people within 45 minutes reach.
Walsall has a strong industrial history focused on production. Walsall is internationally famous and retains world-class excellence for its leather trade and saddles, including the manufacturing of leather goods for the Royal family. Walsall Borough also has a strong history in many types of metalwork including chains and lockmaking.
The planned growth within the West Midlands conurbation means that new homes and jobs will be required within Walsall to meet demand and create the next generation of sustainable opportunities. The creation of high-quality environments for residents, workers, businesses and visitors to thrive is a key reason for the planned investment and commitment to sustainable change.
Insight for investors
- Type of investment sought: Development/joint venture opportunity
- Value and cost info: £80m + GDV
- Site size: 18 hectares
- Jobs: Construction jobs only
- Timescale: 2024-2032
- Delivery timescale: Immediate/phased delivery over 10-year period
- Planning status: Walsall Site Allocation Document adopted 2019