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Walsall Economic Framework 2025 Pillar C: Place & Infrastructure

Priority 1: Employment Sites

Aim: “Support employment growth by creating high quality places to work.” 

Rationale: Good quality employment sites and premises are essential to attract new businesses and enable existing firms to expand. Without suitable, modern, safe, and well-connected sites, Walsall risks losing investment to competing areas. Walsall has undeveloped brownfield sites in strategic locations which face remediation and complex ownership issues. Land assets should be strategically managed to support the economic shift towards higher-wage, higher-skilled sectors and to provide the incubation and innovation space needed to support start-ups and increase productivity-led growth.

Expected action areas

ActionDescriptionStrategy/Alignment
Bring forward employment land to support economic growth
  • Publish a new Local Plan in a timely manner identifying key employment sites which meet the needs of businesses. Deliver at least 115ha of additional occupied employment land over the Plan period. 
  • Support employment growth at key locations. This will include the Walsall Growth Corridor, which incorporates Walsall Town Centre and sites in proximity to the M6 (including the Enterprise Zone/ Growth Zone). 
  • The council should make bold decisions to have a transformational impact on business growth. This will include ensuring that the Council planning process is responsive and efficient. 
  • The council could consider the feasibility of delivering employment schemes (office and light industrial) on council owned land where this will support economic growth.

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Prioritise Council involvement in employment sites
  • Prioritise council involvement in a smaller number of sites to focus on those which will have the greatest impact.

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Work in partnership to address site remediation issues
  • Explore innovative partnership approaches (e.g. joint ventures with WMCA or private developers) and funding models to share the risk of site remediation for brownfield sites. 
  • Influence / lobby for funding programmes for employment site delivery, and match with private finance and / or loan funding schemes.

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Support site assembly to reduce risk
  • Work with partners to assemble land parcels to create development-ready plots, reducing the risk for investors.

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Use and apply appropriate planning mechanisms to encourage or facilitate employment land development
  • Explore policy-based and delivery-focused planning mechanisms to deliver and accelerate employment land development (e.g. Local Development Orders or Simplified Planning Zones)

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Use and apply appropriate planning mechanisms to encourage or facilitate employment land development
  • Explore policy-based and delivery-focused planning mechanisms to deliver and accelerate employment land development (e.g. Local Development Orders or Simplified Planning Zones)
Walsall Borough Local Plan
Utilise development incentives to help bring forward sites
  • Capitalise on the Growth Zone status in Walsall to bring forward sites. Lobby Government for tax incentives and business rates relief to help bring forward employment sites within the Growth Zone.

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Ensure there is sufficient business accommodation suitable for smaller firms
  • Explore the potential need for a range of flexible and affordable workspace to support start-ups and businesses looking to grow.
  • Consider the need for incubation and Innovation space to increase productivity levels and support higher levels of innovation

West Midlands Growth Plan

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Priority 2: Connected Sites

Aim: "Secure the infrastructure assets needed to make places accessible." 

Rationale: Walsall sits at the centre of the UK’s transport network, close to Birmingham and its international links through the airport. This makes Walsall a natural location for many businesses operating in national and international markets. Many of Walsall’s businesses rely on the area’s strategic location to stay competitive. Walsall also benefits from an extensive inland waterway network with around 26 miles of canals. This plays an important role in the area’s strategic economic infrastructure, contributing to regeneration, active travel, health, skills and climate resilience. 

Future growth will rely on our ability to maintain the infrastructure that allow businesses to communicate with clients, move goods around efficiently and fuel their business operations. Walsall must build on its advantage to provide the roads, public transport, next generation digital connectivity and future energy that will be needed close the productivity gap.

Expected action areas

ActionDescriptionStrategy/Alignment
Invest in Walsall’s Road networks where this will support economic growth
  • Support investment in Walsall’s road infrastructure where this helps to bring forward employment and housing sites.

West Midlands Local Transport Plan

West Midlands Investment Prospectus 2025

Bring forward priority rail projects
  • Support priority rail projects (existing and new) to facilitate regeneration and attract investment. This includes Walsall Connected Gateway improvements, as well as new rail stations at Aldridge (subject to funding), Willenhall (opening 2026), and Darlaston (expected 2026).

West Midlands Local Transport Plan

West Midlands Investment Prospectus 2025

Promote a shift away from car dependency by altering travel habits and investing in active travel
  • Design neighbourhoods and town centres to ensure everyone can reach essential services within 15 minutes without relying on cars. 
  • Expand and promote safe, continuous active travel infrastructure to support everyday journeys. 
  • Build a seamless, integrated transit system— including buses, trams, trains, ride-shares, and micro-mobility— with unified ticketing, high-quality interchanges, and frequent services.
  • Accelerate the shift to low-emission transport— especially EVs—complemented by cleaner fuels and decarbonised freight.
  • Explore the potential role of Walsall’s canals in supporting first/last mile connectivity to new rail stations at Willenhall and Darlaston.

Black Country Walking and Cycling Strategy and Implementation Plan 

Walsall Council Electric Vehicle Charge Point Strategy 

Black Country ULEV Strategy 2020

Ensure that Walsall is connected digitally
  • Work with WM5G to become a vanguard 5G borough, adopting a ‘connectivity as standard’ smart city Borough-wide approach. 
  • Ensure that all those who wish to get online are supported to do so (through access and training)

West Midlands Local Transport Plan

West Midlands Investment Prospectus 2025

Deliver sustainable utilities infrastructure which supports growth
  • Work with partners to improve planning and access to utilities (including gas, electricity, telecommunications, water and sewerage), ensuring it does not constrain growth or the transition to a net zero economy. 
  • Ensure that Walsall has the right infrastructure and technology to process waste and recycling. 
  • Deliver sustainable utilities infrastructure. In new developments this will include the provision of district heating, onsite renewables (e.g., solar PV), low-carbon heating solutions, and EV charging. We will also support the rollout of green energy to support existing development. 
  • Explore the role of Walsall’s canals in contributing to this action, for example through for example urban cooling or on-site renewables.

Walsall Net Zero 2041 Strategy 

Walsall Council Net Zero Action Plan (2025–2028)

West Midlands Regional Energy Strategy 

Walsall Borough Local Plan

Priority 3: Vibrant Towns and District Centres

Aim: “Plan thriving places for people to visit, work, live and play.” 

Rationale: High-quality, attractive places are important for stimulating commercial and community activity and essential to maintaining local pride. The town and district centres of Walsall have faced a long-term decline in footfall and rise in vacant shops and negative perceptions. They need to play a positive role in our growth through investment in culture, leisure, and green spaces to create more attractive healthier locations to work and live for all generations. More thriving town and district centres would also strengthen Walsall’s investment brand, help generate a stronger sense of community belonging and make the streets safer. We want to showcase our cultural strengths and build on existing cultural assets such as our Art Galleries, Museums and heritage sites.

Expected action areas

ActionDescriptionStrategy/Alignment
Improve Walsall town centre's visitor offer
  • Implement the Walsall Town Centre Framework, promoting a diverse mix of uses and creating an attractive place to visit which is safe and with high quality spaces 
  • Progress a feasibility study for a new mixed-use culture and leisure hub at Park Place Shopping Centre site
Walsall Town Centre Framework
Unlock new residential-led development within Walsall Town Centre Framework Opportunity Areas
  • Progress delivery strategies for residential-led redevelopment in Walsall TC. Key locations include 1) Waterfront 2) Station Quarter (3) Civic Quarter / Old Square + High Street Opportunity Areas.
Walsall Town Centre Framework
Develop a place marketing and events programme for Walsall town centre
  • Scope potential Walsall town centre events programme with special anchor events including place marketing of the total offer including existing culture, leisure and retail assets. This will capitalise on existing cultural strengths in Walsall such as the New Art Gallery Walsall.
Walsall Town Centre Framework
Work with partners to leverage sport and visitor economy to strengthen Walsall Town Centre
  • Scope potential coordinated activity with Walsall FC to maximise visitor spend and footfall associated with Walsall FC match days and other events held at Bescot Stadium.
Walsall Town Centre Framework
Explore the potential for affordable and flexible workspace specifically within Walsall town centre
  • Explore potential interventions in delivering temporary and/or permanent workspaces for new start-ups and small businesses to repurpose surplus floorspace within town centre.
Walsall Town Centre Framework
Encourage Investment and activity in Walsall’s District Centres, including Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall
  • Strengthen the connectivity of district centres, including the delivery of new rail stations, expanding active travel networks and integrated ticketing across modes. 
  • Accelerate the delivery of planned housing sites in Willenhall and other district centres, ensuring mixed tenure, energy efficient, and affordable homes. 
  • Encourage cultural and community activation, encourage events and festivals and develop cultural spaces and creative hubs to diversify uses. 
  • Ensure that district centres remain attractive and safe by: repurposing vacant units; supporting business growth and diversifying uses within the town centre.
Walsall Town Centre Framework

Priority 4: Housing

Aim: “Build the right housing in the right places.” 

Rationale: Walsall faces population growth and changing household structures which push up demand for affordable, family housing and accommodation suitable for older residents. The right mix of housing types and tenures can help ease current pressures and attract new residents. A stronger housing offer would help Walsall become a competitive, investible place. More modern, high-quality housing in the right locations could retain and attract people who might otherwise choose Birmingham or other regional centres. More homes near employment hubs, accessible by public transport, and near town centres would help local residents access jobs, reduce commuting times, enhance well-being and health and strengthen community vitality

Expected action areas

ActionDescriptionStrategy/Alignment
Deliver the right number of homes to support economic growth (19,924 net new homes between 2025 and 2042)
  • Seek financial support (from Homes England and WMCA) where necessary to help bring forward brownfield sites for housing 
  • Bring forward housing sites as per the Local Plan allocations, ensuring that the local planning process is responsive and efficient. 
  • Develop public and private sector partnerships to bring forward more complex sites, setting out clear roles and responsibilities. Explore the potential for Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) to formalise partnerships. 
  • Reduce barriers to SME firms in constructing housing sites through providing easier access to procurement opportunities and developing their skills.

Walsall Borough Local Plan

West Midlands Growth Plan 

Walsall Housing Strategy

Deliver housing in the right locations to support economic growth
  • Ensure that housing is delivered in the right locations, particularly close to key transport nodes. Walsall town centre will be a key location alongside Willenhall.

Walsall Borough Local Plan 

Walsall Housing Strategy 

Walsall Town Centre Framework 

Willenhall Framework Plan

Ensure that the right type of housing is delivered
  • The council needs to work with the private sector and others as necessary to ensure that the right type of housing is delivered. There is a particular need for better quality housing which is attractive to existing residents, helping to retain talent. New housing also needs to attract new people to the area to support the overall vision for economic growth.

Walsall Borough Local Plan 

Walsall Housing Strategy 

Create neighbourhoods that are attractive and safe
  • Create neighbourhoods which are attractive and safe for existing and new communities. Ensure that new developments are connected to existing communities with local services and facilities and that where necessary new social infrastructure and green space is delivered.

Walsall Borough Local Plan 

Walsall Housing Strategy 

Ensure existing homes are decent
  • Ensure existing homes are maintained to a decent standard and are energy efficient 
  • Enforce Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) to ensure all privately rented homes are at least EPC band ‘C’ by 1 October 2030.
Walsall Housing Strategy