Latest thinking on … the Black Country

The region, which has four local authority areas, has plenty going on. In all, more than 4000 hectares of land across the Black Country are earmarked for redevelopment.

What kind of initiatives and schemes are in the pipeline?

They include: Brierley Hill Regeneration Partnership, which is renewing Brierley Hill town centre; AM Developments' £265m joint venture with Wolverhampton council to develop a 45,000 m2 mixed-use scheme to transform the city's shopping sector; and Opus Land's £45m industrial scheme on Junction 9 of the M6.

Where does the area go from here?

That will become evident in the Black Country Study, a piece of research the Black Country Consortium will be showcasing at the MIPIM property show next month. The Black Country Consortium is a sub-regional partnership for Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton and the consortium has come up with a strategy for the region's future.

What is the objective of the study?

It aims to stem population loss, grow incomes to 90% of the UK average, to improve the socio-economic balance of the population to the national average, to get 80% of residents into work and create a sustainable, high-quality environment.

How could it do that?

Initial proposals, published last year, included improving housing by building a minimum of 3600 homes a year, and dealing with low housing demand. It was also proposed to create 160,000 jobs, new employment and logistics zones and new technology parks. Following consultation, the proposals are now being turned into a range of preferred options.

What will happen then?

The final report is expected to be submitted to government in late May. A consultation by government and public examination of the proposals will then follow. The preferred options will eventually be used to revise the region's Regional Spatial Strategy.

What do they say about it?

Charles Roach, acting director of Black Country Investment, says: "It challenges the view that economic regeneration must be public-sector led. The region has a 30-year vision for prosperity and growth."