Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet last night approved the final version of the Bilston Urban Village Supplementary Planning Document which was the subject of extensive consultation earlier this year. This sets out the acceptable land uses for the site and gives more detail to any prospective developer.
Further funding of more than £1.5 million for the Bilston Urban Village programme has also been approved, coming only days after the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) approved £2.5 million for the scheme.
The authority is working in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to regenerate the 37 hectare (91 acre) site with both commercial and residential projects.
Work will also be undertaken this year to create the High Street Link via Pinfold Street car park. As part of this, a tree lined boulevard will be created for pedestrians from the Black Country Route to the High Street.
This first stage of work is anticipated to begin in late September and completed later in the year in time for Christmas.
Further work will be carried out to prepare and develop commercial land that will be released in autumn. Land will also be developed and released for a housing development for approximately 200 homes next year.
The Bert Williams Leisure Centre and the South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy are the first 2 major developments to have been completed and opened at Bilston Urban Village.
Previous works have included the treatment of mineshafts and the clearance of the site.
The council and HCA will also commission design work for a series of engineering contracts including drainage and highway works, the details for which should be completed by the end of the year.
Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity and chair of the Bilston Centre Regeneration Councillor Steering Group, said: "This is great news for the Bilston area.
"Bilston Urban Village remains a top priority for the Council and we need to build on what has been achieved so far."
"The new High Street link will provide safe, easy access for people travelling to and from Bilston Urban Village, which will provide a huge boost to the whole area.
"We are committed to regenerating Bilston and the Urban Village is a key part of these plans."
Anne-Marie Simpson, Head of Midlands Central at the HCA said: "The investment in bringing the Bilston site back into active use will create real benefits for the local community including new jobs, space for businesses and around 200 new homes.
This exciting long term development project will make a significant contribution to the growth and renewal of Bilston."
- released: Thursday 25 July, 2013