Multi Development UK Ltd and Wolverhampton City Council have received confirmation that a large area of land in the city centre can be compulsory purchased to make way for a £300 million regeneration scheme.
Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has given the council the go-ahead to compulsory purchase 72,000 square metres of land to the south of the city centre for the construction of the Summer Row development. It will transform the city skyline with a mixed use scheme incorporating a shopping centre anchored by a Debenhams department store and 85 other shops, a cinema and other leisure facilities, homes and a new underground car park.
The decision was welcomed by Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise. He said: “This is fantastic news for the ongoing regeneration of Wolverhampton. Summer Row will put us on the map. I feel that 2008 really is going to be a momentous year in the history of this city with several major regeneration schemes like Summer Row and the Interchange getting off the ground. It is certainly an exciting time to be living and working in Wolverhampton.”
The individual owners and occupiers of the premises affected by the compulsory purchase order have been invited to surgeries on February 21 and 22, where representatives of both the council, Multi Development UK and their advisors will be in attendance. Advice can be sought on looking for alternative property as well as information on what other practical help is available.
The Secretary of State’s decision follows a public inquiry about the compulsory purchase order, held between April and July last year. The council and its development partner, Multi Development UK, gave evidence throughout the hearing that the creation of Summer Row was vital to the regeneration of Wolverhampton and future prosperity of the city.
Paul Sargent, Managing Director of Multi Development UK, said: “Multi is delighted that this last milestone in the pre-construction stages of the development of Summer Row has now been achieved. Multi is now fully focused on achieving our start date for late Spring 2008. Multi will continue to communicate with all businesses and landowners affected by the decision.”
As the next stage in the process, the council will now notify the individual owners and occupiers of the premises affected by the compulsory purchase order of the Secretary of State’s decision.
In addition, there will now be a six-week legal challenge period. After this, at the request of Multi Development UK, the council will serve further notices for the compulsory purchase of all land and property required for the development.