The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has signed an agreement within Urban Splash to build 10,000 new homes using Modern Methods of Construction
The WMCA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Urban Splash to build 10,000 new homes in the region.
The partnership deal is aimed at helping the WMCA hit targets to deliver 215,000 new homes across the region by 2031, and brownfield regeneration, in order to meet future housing and economic demand.
MOU agreement
The signed MOU outlines that House by Urban Splash will aim to deliver circa 5% of WMCA’s 215,000 new homes target within the region by 2031. A target of 10,000 new multi tenure homes consisting of various ownership models will be delivered across the West Midlands over the 11 year period.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, said: “The West Midlands economy is continuing to grow at a fast pace and more companies and people are coming here looking to enjoy everything our region has to offer.
“This is of course brilliant news, but it also brings with it a set of challenges, especially in terms of providing enough homes and commercial premises to keep up with demand.
“Urban Splash is one of the most innovative developers in the UK using modern methods of construction that can deliver quality homes at pace on reinvigorated brownfield sites.
“By combining that expertise with WMCA resources, support and expertise we can help meet the housing demand and transform acres of former industrial land into vibrant new communities, protecting our precious greenbelt land in the process.”
Nathan Cornish, group board director at Urban Splash, added: “This partnership brings together investment, understanding and skills to develop brownfield sites, transforming past industrial wasteland into modern-day homes and communities.
“This is further reflective of the current confidence in the regional market and economy – and as the Chancellor noted in his Budget yesterday, the commitment at national level to meet the housing demand.
“Urban Splash know the West Midlands well, having delivered iconic projects at Fort Dunlop and Rotunda. We are currently on-site at Port Loop working in partnership with Places for People, Canals and Rivers Trust and Birmingham City Council.
“It is brownfield projects like that we will target in order to bring forward more award-winning homes to the region, delivering architect-designed homes with their own identity, creating vibrant family-focused neighbours.”
Strategic partnership
WMCA and Urban Splash’s ambition is to establish a ground-breaking strategic partnership which brings together public and private sector skills and investment to unlock complex brownfield sites and ease pressure on the greenbelt.
Urban Splash will invest in the acquisition, planning, promotion and delivery of housing development sites and will deliver sustainable communities at ‘scale and pace’.
As part of the partnership deal, Urban Splash will embrace Modern Methods of Construction as its default construction approach, and endeavour to deliver products on brownfield land fit for a region known for its manufacturing excellence.
Urban Splash will also be devoted to making architect-designed homes available to the marketplace across a range of tenures.
The partnership will see WMCA work with House by Urban Splash in order to prioritise brownfield sites to transform into neighbourhoods with distinct characteristics, and that are recognisable and different, each with their own identity.
