Latest News - Press Release
PLANS FOR BUSINESS, LEARNING AND RETAIL CAMPUS GET GREEN LIGHT - 21 June '06
Walsall Council’s development control committee has given the green light to a £100 million project that will bring a state-of-the-art ‘Business and Learning Campus’ and new Tesco Extra to the heart of Walsall.
Committee members have granted planning permission, subject to support from Government Office for the West Midlands, for a brand-new college campus and superstore.
The application was made under ‘Walsall First’ - a pioneering initiative between Walsall College, Tesco, Walsall Council and Walsall Regeneration Company (WRC).
This major project will help create a ‘seed-bed’ of enterprise, skills and business to make Walsall one of the leading towns in the West Midlands and give local people opportunities to learn vital new skills.
Walsall Council has played a key role by making its land available where the college buildings and superstore would be built.
In tonight’s (Weds) special meeting of the council’s development control committee, councillors discussed the planning application before unanimously approving the proposals.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This decision sends a clear signal to employers and investors that Walsall is open for business. It will help the council and our partners continue the revitalisation of our borough – making it a better place for people to live and work.”
“Walsall Council is committed to strengthening our borough’s economy and ensuring citizens of all ages have education and training opportunities relevant to today’s career needs.”
A land swap releases land on Littleton Street for the new college campus and allows Tesco to relocate to a new store on the existing college site at St Paul’s.
Ben Reid, chairman of WRC, said: “It is great news, a significant step in bringing a major scheme to fruition to give the people of Walsall a better future by attracting investment, developing the local economy and improving skill levels and training to meet business needs.
“As chairman of the Black Country Learning and Skills Council, which has contributed £17.5 million towards the overalls costs of the project, this is something I particularly welcome.
“The 13 week turn-round of a complex and pivotal planning application sends a clear message to investors and developers that Walsall can move quickly and has to be taken seriously as a place to do business.
“This is just the first of the eight major transformational projects identified in WRC’s Prospectus for Growth to regenerate Walsall as a vibrant 21st century market town. This success strengthens our commitment to develop our exciting plans for the benefit of the whole community.”
College Principal Chris Ball, said: “I am delighted with the committee’s decision. The new Business and Learning Campus will provide state of the art facilities, a responsive industry-led curriculum and help secure Walsall’s position as a major business centre in the West Midlands.
“It is more than just a building – it is a symbol of a bright and promising future for Walsall, which will fuel innovations to propel the industries of tomorrow both for the West Midlands and the UK as a whole. “
And Katherine Edwards, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, welcomed the committee’s approval of the application, saying: “These are exciting times for Walsall. We are delighted that our new store will enable us to serve the community better, create around 500 jobs and give a real boost to the town and its regeneration.
“It has been refreshing to work with the college, WRC and Walsall Council to progress this scheme so quickly. It shows that Walsall means business and will encourage other investors to consider the town for future developments.”
The project is one of the eight major transformational schemes identified in WRC’s ‘Prospectus for Growth’, announced in January, as the regeneration framework that will deliver more than 5,500 new jobs, around £755 million in public and private sector investment and more than 1,600 new homes over the next 10 to 15 years.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Tel: 01922 653573
Fax: 01922 648066
Notes for Editors
The development of a new Business, Learning and Retail Campus will help anchor regeneration in Walsall – bringing forward the first phase in a comprehensive programme of regeneration identified in WRC’s ‘Prospectus for Growth’.
Core partners in Walsall First are supported by Advantage West Midlands, the Black Country Learning and Skills Council and the Black Country Consortium in their drive to create a seed-bed of enterprise skills and business that will make Walsall one of the leading towns in the West Midlands.
More information on the project is available online at www.walsallfirst.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
WRC:
Nigel Pipkin or Kate Arnold, Seal Communications
Tel: 0121 200 0780
nigelpipkin@sealcommunications.co.uk
Walsall College:
John Beaty, Marketing Manager
Tel: 01922 657095
jbeaty@walsallcollege.ac.uk
Tesco:
Katherine Edwards, Corporate Affairs Manager
Tel: 01992 632222
katherine.edwards@uk.tesco.com