MIPIM 2018: The West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a prospectus of 20 sites valued at up to £10bn in total for which it is seeking investment partners.
The investment prospectus is aiming to accelerate investment and economic development in the region as well as showcase its benefits.
Andy Street, mayor of the combined authority, launched the document at MIPIM, saying: “We have a drum beat of momentum behind us both economically and culturally.
“So now is the time to invest in the UK’s new growth capital and its most liveable, investable and competitive region.”
Key sites in the prospectus include:
■ UK Central Hub and HS2 Interchange: the HS2 station and hub in Solihull, and accompanying business and infrastructure assets, is looking for a wide range of partners and development;
■ Birmingham Paradise: opportunity to co-invest and finance phases two and three of the commercial, retail, leisure and hotel development in the city centre;
■ Friargate Coventry: the city centre development next to the mainline rail station is delivering new office space, hotels, homes, shops and restaurants and is seeking investment;
■ Interchange Commercial District and Canalside Living Quarter: A Wolverhampton scheme offering investment opportunities for residential, leisure and commercial developments
■ i54 Western Extension: A 100-acre extension of the existing business park to expand the growing cluster of advanced manufacturing businesses including Jaguar Land Rover and Moog Aerospace
A number of the sites in the prospectus are connected to investment into the region’s infrastructure: the HS2 high speed rail line opening in 2026, new Midland Metro tram extensions and plans for new passenger rail lines.
Street said: “We are a region of growth and innovation and we have all the fundamentals in place for successful investment along with the determination and talent to deliver.”
Other sites are:
■ Redditch Gateway – development finance and funding sought
■ Mira Technology Park, Southern Manufacturing Centre – £150m financing sought
■ Birmingham Curzon – funding and development opportunities around new HS2 station
■ City Centre South Coventry – Shearer Property Group seeking funding
■ Commonwealth Games Athletes Village – development of 1,000 homes in Perry Bar
and Smethwick
■ Greater Icknield and Smethwick – delivery and investment options
■ Birmingham Life Sciences – forward funding and joint venture partners
■ Bescot Friar Park – residential site seeking investment
■ M6 junction 10 cluster – forward funding
■ Solihull town centre – various opportunities
■ Springfield campus – strategic investment
■ DY5 enterprise zone – investment opportunity in Dudley
■ Dudley town centre – investment opportunity
■ Walsall town centre – investors and forward funding sought
To send feedback, e-mail alex.peace@egi.co.uk or tweet @egalexpeace or @estatesgazette
