Car park in West Bromwich to be demolished and replaced with housing

The West Midland Combined Authority (WMCA) has given the go-ahead to the demolition of a car park in West Bromwich which will be replaced with new homes and retail and leisure facilities. 

The 1970’s Queens Square car park closed to the public last year, and yesterday (March 5), the council gave the go-ahead for it to be demolished.

The combined authority has worked with Sandwell council to help cover demolition costs.

The WMCA has said they’re backing developments on brownfield land to bring unused and run-down areas back to life, the focus is on projects that will create job opportunities and provide affordable homes for local people.

West Bromwich is one of five town centres across the West Midlands that will benefit from priority funding regeneration schemes.

In July 2019, the WMCA set up a regional town centre task force to work with local councils to move forward the redevelopment plans.

According to the government, the task force will give high streets and town centres ‘advice, training and information to adapt and thrive’, piloting a range of products and services with 20 places before rolling out across the country next year.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, who is chair of the WMCA said: ‘We are working together to rejuvenate high streets in the West Midlands, and the regeneration of the Queen’s Square car park is an exciting example of exactly how we want to work with councils to create attractive, inviting new spaces in our town centres.

‘Across the country, it’s clear that high streets aren’t keeping up with changing shopping habits and the fast rise of online retailers and home delivery.

‘We need to modernise and update our town centres, mixing homes with leisure facilities, retail and public services to create vibrant new hubs in our communities.

‘We’re making a real difference to this part of West Bromwich by funding the demolition of this old, dilapidated car park, and I look forward to seeing how plans for the wider regeneration area develop.’

Photo Credit — Pixabay