New village centre set to transform North Solihull
North Solihull is set to continue its ambitious transformation plans benefiting businesses and local people after receiving £2.6 million funding…
North Solihull is set to continue its ambitious transformation plans benefiting businesses and local people after receiving £2.6 million funding boost. Over the next 4 years the area of Smith’s Wood will see the creation of a brand new village centre at North Arran Way with investment in access routes, lighting and signage creating a vibrant village centre, access to job opportunities and acting as a catalyst for investment.
With over £1.3 million from the European Regional Development Fund which is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, and matched by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, the project is part of a package of activities to develop and improve the North Solihull area.
Communities Minister Baroness Hanham CBE said:
Tackling the barriers that face an area and prevent the economy from growing are key areas which we really need to focus on. By providing a new village centre and improving the access to this, together with support for businesses we remove these barriers currently facing this neighbourhood allowing vital growth and improvement. I am delighted that we are able to offer support that will provide crucial benefits for the local people.
The project also forms part of the £1.5 billion North Solihull Regeneration project launched in 2005 to transform the three wards of Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s Wood and Kingshurst and Fordbridge by improving homes, shops, schools, health and community facilities, transport, the environment and creating jobs.
Councillor Ian Courts, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council explains the importance of the changes.
He said:
The investment into the new village centre at North Arran Way will create a thriving environment both for the local community and for businesses. This project and the wider plans for the area provide the opportunity to do things differently, taking a joined up approach to creating the conditions for economic growth and prosperity in the area.
For more information on the North Solihull Regeneration scheme, go to www.northsolihull.co.uk (external link).
Notes to editors
The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme which runs from 2007 to 2013. This is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development.
The West Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme has been allocated 400 million euros to invest in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs.
In the West Midlands the priority areas and themes are:
- Innovation and Research & Development - Increasing investment in research and development through helping businesses take forward new innovation, sharing of knowledge and developing and demonstrating new technology
- Enterprise Development - Increasing business performance through supporting high growth businesses, improving resource efficiency, providing access to finance and developing a strong entrepreneurial culture
- Sustainable Urban Development - Improving the performance of key urban areas through regenerating local areas, encouraging investment and new businesses, creating job opportunities and helping communities most in need
- Inter-Regional Activity - Working with European partners to learn and improve, share and apply best practice and solve problems.
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