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GOVERNMENT BACKS WALSALL WATERFRONT REGENERATION WITH MORE KICKSTART FUNDS - 8 March 2010
The vision of a vibrant canalside quarter of homes and businesses to breathe new life into Walsall town centre has moved even closer thanks to a new government grant of £6.5million awarded to Jessup Build Develop for their Waterfront South scheme.
Walsall Regeneration Company and Walsall Council today welcomed the Homes and Communities Agency’s decision to give Kickstart funding for the second phase of the Waterfront South development after already providing £8.7million for the first phase.
Developers Jessup will start work later this year on the £18 million second phase to deliver 164 homes, including quality affordable housing to buy and some for let, by March 2012. Work on its first phase of 158 homes was launched last month.
Akshay Parikh, chief operating officer at Walsall Regeneration Company, said: “There is strong competition nationwide for Kickstart funds to help projects which have stalled in the downturn. To receive two significant grants clearly demonstrates confidence in Walsall’s renaissance and its ability to deliver transformational change which will benefit local people and open up new opportunities.
“It will enable Waterfront South to be completed and put a focus on the high quality public realm – the pathways, lighting and open space – which will link the development with the New Art Gallery and the new Manor Hospital.
“We will see town centre living in the heart of Walsall which will boost the day and night time retail and leisure economy in the area.”
Clive Jessup, chief executive of Jessup Build Develop, hailed the £6.5 million grant as a tremendous result for the strong partnership between his company, WRC and Walsall Council. “This is great news for the people of Walsall, we can now provide more quality affordable homes on this excellent town centre location. We could not have secured this investment without the backing of our partners and their expert help and clear focus on what is required for this key regeneration site. New jobs will be created and Walsall gains a new vibrant canalside quarter which will attract more investment to the town.”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is another piece in the jigsaw. It’s the council’s policies that have put Walsall at the centre of the HCA’s priorities.
“I’m sure our partners will join us to welcome this latest chapter in the ongoing progress of the scheme.”
Paul Spooner, regional director for the Homes and Communities Agency, West Midlands said: “It is great news that Kickstart funding will enable the completion of the Waterfront South phase. Strong partnership working and the ability of partners to deliver has seen this scheme fair very well in both rounds of Kickstart and we are delighted that this will now boost the regeneration of Walsall town centre.”
WRC is working to progress further developments on the canalside at Waterfront North.
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Caption: Artist’s impression of second phase of Jessup’s Waterfront South development.