The masterplan for Wednesbury's future has been unveiled today, a document that will guide how the town centre changes over the next 10-15 years and will help the council with decision-making.
We want to ensure that the town centre thrives, grows and is ready to meet the challenges faced by climate change, economic and behavioural changes in the future. Having a masterplan is a useful tool that will help access funding for improvements and regeneration in the town from the UK government and elsewhere as it sets out the priority projects in the Town Centre.
Watch the video to find out more about the masterplan which sets out an ambitious but deliverable vision for Wednesbury.
After listening to the local community we believe that the overarching aim of the plan is to strengthen the town centre as the vibrant heart of Wednesbury, a historic Black Country market town with a proud heritage, and a contemporary place where people live and work which supports the needs and wellbeing of local communities.
The following aims were developed by recognising the need to make sure that change is balanced with making the most of the town centre’s existing strengths and character and from feedback received:
- A welcoming and inclusive town centre
- A well-connected place which is easy to get to and around
- A transformed local environment with better quality public spaces that people will want to spend time in
- A consolidated and strengthened retail offer with a greater range of shops
- A diverse mix of land uses including higher density residential development
- An active and vibrant place in the daytime and evening.
The Wednesbury Town Centre Masterplan consultation and previous engagement activities over the past 12 months have provided a significant opportunity for community members to actively participate in the planning and development of the town centre. By sharing their ideas, aspirations and concerns, people who live and work in Wednesbury are playing a crucial role in creating a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable town centre for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who completed a survey or provided us with feedback during the community group workshops or drop-in events.
This masterplan is part of a programme of investment in Wednesbury. Some of the investment is being used to kick-start improvements in Wednesbury Town Centre. We’ve already installed new and upgraded CCTV cameras and work started last month on public realm improvements. The programme will also help Sandwell Council deliver much needed new homes, help tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, improve green spaces and expand the Millennium Centre to provide a space in the centre so that more can be done to give people the skills they need to secure better jobs. It builds upon regeneration and plans in place to deliver ambitious projects for Wednesbury with £20.4million investment from the Government under a partnership between Sandwell Council and the government.
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “By setting a vision and priorities for the Town Centre through this Masterplan we will focus on the areas that matter most to the town and the community. It will also provide the basis on which we can encourage further investment in Wednesbury to come forward.”
Find out more about the masterplan on our Regenerating Sandwell website.