Regeneration Pipeline Projects

A town centre regeneration programme is transforming Tipton through the delivery of 70 affordable council homes, public realm and transport improvements, restoration of a historic building, and environmental enhancements to create a safer, more attractive and accessible town centre.

The regeneration of Tipton town centre is well under way. We are creating 70 much-needed affordable council homes on three underused sites in the town centre. This new housing will help regenerate the town centre. As part of the wider programme, improvements to road safety and public spaces are focused on Owen Street, Union Street and the canal walkway.

In 2023, this project was awarded £20 million from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund. This is accompanied by contributions from Sandwell Council, to deliver significant improvements to Tipton. The scheme will provide affordable housing for local residents on the council’s housing waiting list in a highly accessible location close to Tipton railway station and the upcoming Midland Metro extension.

We are delivering the following:

• 70 new affordable council homes across three sites on Union Street.
• A locally listed building is brought back to life.
• Resurfaced roads and pavements along Owen Street and Union Street.
• New, better-placed town centre bus stops.
• Updated lighting on all main streets and in Unity Walk precinct.
• Trees cut back and undergrowth cleared along the canal walkway.
• New trees planted where possible.
• Permanent memorial created in memory of the victims from the 1916 Zeppelin air raid.

Progress to date: Housing Sites 1 and 2, Union Street

During 2024 the flats and shops on sites 1 and 2 either side of Union Street were demolished, following relocation of residents and businesses, including the town’s Post Office which moved into Unity Walk.

Also in 2024, planning approval was gained for a total of 55 new-build apartments on these sites, which had been enlarged to include two underused car parks.

After a contractor was appointed, work began on these two sites in summer 2025. Unfortunately, work stopped in 2026 after the contractor went into administration.

Since then, the council’s project team has been working towards the appointment of a new contractor, in order to deliver the remaining works on these sites. A report is scheduled for the council’s Cabinet meeting in November 2026, to update on the next steps of appointing a new main contractor.

Subject to the recommendations being approved by Cabinet in November, council officers will proceed with appointing a new contractor. Once this happens, a date for work to restart will be agreed.

Progress to date: Housing Site 3, Union Street

The old Flour Mill (also known as the former Conservative Club) was purchased by the council, in derelict condition, in 2023.

In 2025 the rear outbuilding was demolished, and planning permission was granted to renovate and convert this locally listed building into new council apartments. Together with a new-build block behind the listed building, the site will provide a further 15 council apartments, taking the total number of affordable homes in Tipton town centre across all three sites to 70.

A building contractor was appointed, and work began on site in September 2026, with completion scheduled for the end of 2027.

The contractor has committed to 60% of its supply chain for the project to come within 30 miles, keeping investment in the local economy, and to work with the council on a youth trailblazer programme which would result in providing local young people with work experience opportunities. 

More information about this project.

Progress to date:  Improvements to public spaces along Owen Street

Early in 2026, the council appointed a contractor to improve public spaces along Owen Street, with the aim of making the town centre a safer, brighter, more convenient and welcoming place for everyone.

The contract, which completed in August 2026, has resulted in the following:

• Roads and pavements resurfaced.
• Installation of brighter low-energy streetlights.
• Bus stops moved and new shelters installed.
• Introduction of a new 20mph zone.
• New pedestrian crossings.

Together, these improvements will help pedestrians and bus passengers feel safer while encouraging more people to visit Tipton town centre.

The works included, reconstructing and resurfacing roads, installing new kerbing and relaying footpaths to a high standard, helping to reduce the need for future maintenance work and disruption. This involved carefully managing traffic and pedestrians, including temporary one-way traffic.

The contractor worked closely with the community in Tipton throughout the project, supporting local jobs and providing valuable apprenticeship opportunities to give real-life industry experience.

More information about this project.

Over the next few months, the council will work together with the owner of Tipton Shopping Centre, Unity Walk, to find ways to improve lighting through the precinct. There are also plans to thin out/remove overgrown vegetation along the canal walkway off Union Street, to make the route safer, more attractive and to discourage anti-social behaviour.

Zepplin Memorial

Tipton Town Libraries Local History Group, in partnership with the council and Black Country sculptor Luke Perry, have commissioned a permanent memorial to mark the tragic loss of life that occurred on 31 January 1916. On that day, a German Zeppelin airship that had flown off course dropped several bombs on Tipton town centre. In all, 14 people, including five members of the same family, lost their lives in the blasts. The memorial will be unveiled in Union Street, close where the air raid took place, on 31 January 2027, to mark the 111th anniversary.