The new £17.5m National Brownfield Institute (NBI) in Wolverhampton has been given the green light, as construction is set to begin in the new year
The NBI will develop modern methods of building through innovation and partnership with the construction industry.
Built on the University of Wolverhampton’s £120m Springfield Campus, the National Brownfield Institute will focus on the practical application of future brownfield regeneration through the work of research teams, policy development and commercial services.
ISG Ltd has been appointed as contractor on the scheme.
The project will receive £14.9m of funding from the government’s Get Building Fund for the West Midlands.
The City of Wolverhampton Council worked closely with the Black Country LEP and West Midlands Combined Authority to secure the funding.
The National Brownfield Institute will boost sustainable construction, circular economy and brownfield development and will deliver new skills, jobs and opportunities for local people in the city, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.
‘A world leader in construction, regeneration and built environment’
Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for city economy, said: “This is an exciting moment as it means the construction of the National Brownfield Institute can start in the New Year.
“It is yet another sign of the confidence being shown in Wolverhampton as a place to invest and live, as our regeneration plans change our city and relight it despite the huge challenges the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown at us.
“We have seen the university’s Springfield Campus blossom into the reality of a European leading built environment education campus.
“The addition of the National Brownfield Institute will make Wolverhampton a world leader in construction, regeneration and built environment, offering teaching and skills development, cutting edge research and innovation, and enterprise and business engagement through multi-sector partnerships.
“Most importantly it will deliver new skills, jobs and opportunities for local people in the city.”
Professor Geoff Layer, vice chancellor at the University, commented: “This is fantastic news for the city, the university and the local economy.
“Our estates and facilities team has worked closely with architectural, civil, mechanical and electrical consultants including associated architects, CPW and Atkins alongside the construction contractor, ISG Limited, to deliver this approval.
“We are working really hard behind the scenes to ensure that this project is moving forward quickly and each milestone we achieve is a step closer to the next building.
“The NBI will be integral to the way we look at land remediation and regeneration across the Black Country and the UK and will play a pivotal part in unlocking industrial land to help tackle the housing shortage in our towns and cities.”
