News - Midlands
HCA splashes the cash for Walsall waterfront
Walsall's regeneration plans have been given an £8.5m government cash injection to kickstart the town's waterfront project. The investment by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will allow work to start on the first phase of the Waterfront South scheme - 158 new homes, with completion expected by March 2011. Local developer Jessup is building the homes in partnership with Accord Housing Association. It is one of the biggest investments in the West Midlands announced in the HCA's Kickstart programme, which was set up to unblock stalled projects hit by the economic downturn. Dr Peter Cromar, Walsall Regeneration Company chief executive, hailed the significant investment as a major vote of confidence in the town's renaissance and its ability to deliver a better future with new homes, jobs and business opportunities. He said: "It’s great news and a real sign that Walsall is changing for the better. These funds will enable this exciting scheme to get underway and deliver high-quality accommodation on a key regeneration site between the New Art Gallery and the new Manor Hospital development. The vision at Waterfront is to create a new-homes, business and leisure quarter, a place which will interest, for example, health professionals who want to live and work in Walsall."