Green light for West Bromwich masterplan

A masterplan outlining proposals to regenerate West Bromwich and boost investment in the town has been approved.Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council voted to approve the West Bromwich Interim Planning Statement (IPS) and associated West Bromwich Masterplan at a cabinet meeting on 9 February.Savills was appointed in November 2020 to develop a masterplan in conjunction with council officers.Outcomes proposed by the vision include 1,359 homes, £6.6m extra expenditure by new residents in West Bromwich, the creation of 1,740 jobs, about 129,000 sq ft of retail floorspace, extensive health, education and community uses and improved public transport accessibility.A report for the cabinet said the plan would “drive forward the next stage of regeneration investment for the town and provide a future vision so the town can prosper”.The IPS will provide a land use planning update, with it running in tandem with the masterplan. The document aims to fill the ‘planning policy gap’ so the council can be guided in its decision making.