Projects: Friar Park Urban Village

  • Investment
    Up to £150,000,000 from public and private sectors
  • Timeline

    Start: June 2024

    Delivery: March 2035

  • Location
    Friar Park Road, Wednesbury

The West Midlands Combined Authority and Sandwell Council are working together to deliver a new residential community in Friar Park. The proposed development presents an exciting opportunity for regeneration of one of the largest brownfield development sites in the region.

The Friar Park Urban Village comprises one of the largest brownfield (previously developed land) residential development sites in the region. Located approximately 2 miles from Wednesbury Town centre and 100m from Tame Bridge Parkway Station, overcoming the challenges arising from the historic legacy of industrial use and realising a number of opportunities, the transformation of this 27ha site will become a major flagship for the regeneration of brownfield land throughout the industry.

A masterplan was developed by joint owners, Sandwell Council and West Midlands Combined Authority in 2023 to assist developers to progress the planning application and remediation strategy. The masterplan overcomes the challenges of former land uses, the proximity to Bescot Sidings and the M6, poor connectivity and anti-social behaviour by promoting a well connected, integrated development which strengthens the community through provision of 630 new homes, of which 25% will be affordable, and 10ha of publicly accessible open space.

The joint owners of the site are seeking a development partner who shares the vision of the aspirational regeneration of this strategically important site through providing a highly sustainable neighbourhood comprising high quality, energy efficient homes, new public open spaces enhancing site bio-diversity, and opportunities to promote active travel as well as capitalising on the local public transport network.

The first phase is for site clearance and remediation works to take place. This will prepare the ground ready for house building. This work is due to start in 2025 once a development partner is in place. The first phase of work on site is being supported by funding from the Levelling Up Partnership.

For more information about the Levelling Up Partnership see:

 https://regeneratingsandwell.co.uk/sandwell_projects/wednesbury-levelling-up-partnership/

Please see the link to the public consultation here that was available to the public  from 18th October to 29th November 2024 to leave comments on the project’s proposal. 

Please see the Friar Park remediation project proposal details here and the Friar Park remediation project FAQs here.