Masterplan revealed for 1,000 homes on old brownfield sites
About 1,000 homes could be built on brownfield land in Willenhall as part of a masterplan to regenerate the town.
Council bosses are in the process of drawing up proposals which will see the town transformed over the next 20 years.
A key element of the project is the opening of the railway station in Willenhall, as well as the revamp of the Walsall to Wolverhampton route.
Walsall Council chiefs hope the vision, which comes after plans for Walsall town centre were unveiled, will help improve the area.
Deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew said: “Willenhall is a key priority for us and we need a realistic and deliverable vision that brings together a clear plan for us to set out to public and private investors to build new homes.
“Brownfield sites have been a blight for too long and in Willenhall we need to focus on building a proud future while we have an eye on our past with pride.
“With all the derelict land and clear need for housing to suit all budgets Willenhall has great potential to benefit from a new approach to these derelict sites.
“With this vision it is another piece in the jigsaw of regenerating our borough and we can breathe new life into the Willenhall.”
Bosses hope the vision can become reality by working with the West Midlands Mayor, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Council leader Mike Bird, chairman of the WMCA housing board, said: “The Walsall to Wolverhampton Corridor will play an increasingly important part in the economic regeneration of our area and Willenhall is ideally placed to benefit.”
Walsall Council is now working towards appointing a partner to help draw up the Willenhall masterplan, subject to cabinet’s approval.
Plans to reopen the two stations on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line, including Willenhall, have been awarded £10 million of government funding.
Train passengers will be able to travel directly between the two hubs for the first time in more than 10 years when the line is reopened in 2021.
Currently only freight trains run on the Wolverhampton to Walsall line.
Stations in Darlaston and Willenhall closed in 1965 and only through services have used the line since then, bar between 1998 and 2008 when it reopened but later closed again.
The £10 million grant, from the Department for Transport, will go towards the construction of new stations at Darlaston and Willenhall.
