The newly formed West Midlands Combined Authority has today launched an independent commission to look at ways of ensuring an improved supply of land for future development.
The WMCA, which formed at the end of June, has launched the West Midlands Land Commission to take a fresh look at factors affecting land supply.
The land commission will consider measures which could be carried out to improve site availability – currently a significant issue in the region.
The scope of the WMLC will extend to public and private sector land in the area covered by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP and the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP. It will cover land for both housing and employment uses.
The commission has released a ‘call for evidence’ seeking evidence on a number of lines of enquiry to consider the challenges in developing land, identifying blockages in the system and to recommend measures which could be implemented to secure a sufficient supply of land for development. Submissions should be made via e-mail to wmcaland@metrodynamics.co.uk The closing date for receipt of written evidence is September 30.
The commission will report to the WMCA before the end of the year and a report will be published early in 2017.
Real estate expert Paul Marcuse has been appointed chair of the WMLC. He said: “WMLC is being established at a time of unprecedented opportunity for the region.
“A combination of the recent establishment of the WMCA and its devolution deal with government and the very significant infrastructure investment being planned for the region provides a singular opportunity to review the wealth of complex issues affecting the supply of land.”
The WMCA was created in June and includes an annual funding of £40m from central government, with the WCMA driving an £8bn investment package aimed at improving productivity and skills, delivering new transport infrastructure and homes and increasing the general prosperity of the region’s 4m people.
Bilfinger GVA has been appointed to advise the commission.
The WMCA comprises constituent members
- Birmingham City Council
- City of Wolverhampton Council
- Coventry City Council
- Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
- Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council.
Non-constituent authorities with reduced voting rights
- Cannock Chase District Council
- Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
- Redditch Borough Council
- Tamworth Borough Council
- Telford and Wrekin Council
LEPs
- Black Country
- Coventry and Warwickshire
- Greater Birmingham and Solihull
Observer organisations awaiting membership
- Stratford-on-Avon District Council. Shropshire Council
WMLC commissioners:
- Jerome Frost: leader of Arup’s UK & EMEA consulting business, and former head of design and regeneration for the Olympic Delivery Authority
- Bruce Mann: executive director of the Cabinet Office’s Government Property Unit
- Bill Oliver: retiring chief executive of St Modwen Properties
- Bridget Rosewell: UK economist and a member of the National Infrastructure Commission
- Paul Marcuse – chair
• To send feedback e-mail lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com or Tweet @eglisap or @estatesgazette
