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A major new housing development is set to bring investment, job opportunities and community benefits to Sandwell as housebuilder Vistry Group confirms plans for 60 affordable homes on Titford Road, Oldbury.

The site, previously owned by ASDA and identified by Sandwell Council for development, will provide a mix of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes designed to meet growing local demand for affordable housing.

Investment and local jobs

As well as addressing housing needs, the development will contribute to the local economy by supporting jobs in construction and supply chains, creating opportunities for local contractors, and bringing additional investment into the area.

Michael Moore, Managing Director of Vistry North West Midlands, said:

“We are thrilled to be working on this development which will not only meet the housing needs of the community but will protect wildlife and ecology whilst bringing investment for services in the area.

“We’re excited to be a part of Oldbury’s growth and to be entrusted with the build of these much-needed affordable homes, which will help meet the significant housing shortage and create a thriving and sustainable community.”

Sustainable development

Planning permission was granted in April 2025, with sustainability and environmental protection at the core of the plans. Vistry commissioned ecologists to carry out detailed surveys to ensure development proposals aligned with Natural England’s guidance.

Key ecological enhancements include:

• Safeguarding and improving a watercourse running through the site
• Creating a green buffer zone planted with native species to increase biodiversity
• Replacing low-quality trees removed during construction
• Designing public spaces for community access and enjoyment

This development supports Sandwell Council’s ongoing commitment to deliver sustainable, affordable homes while ensuring local businesses, supply chains and the community benefit from projects across the borough.

The information for this article came from the Business Desk, read it here.

The Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker has launched the region’s new growth plan.

The plan aims to unlock the potential in the West Midlands and create 100,000 good jobs in fast-growing industries, getting tens of thousands of residents into work, improving public transport, and building 120,000 homes.

Sandwell will be a key delivery partner to ensure that the plan succeeds, and it already aligns with our own ‘Sandwell Story’ campaign, launched in June. The five areas for jobs growth also very closely match Sandwell’s own demographics and business profile with over 59,000 people currently employed in those areas in over 4,000 Sandwell businesses.

Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Kerrie Carmichael said: “It is clear that both the Mayor of the West Midlands and here in Sandwell we agree as to how we can bring real tangible growth to our communities.

“I want to see real and lasting jobs which bring real and lasting prosperity to our towns and the Growth Plan highlights the sectors we need to sustain and attract into the Black Country.

“I’m really pleased that the Mayor’s Growth Plan is so aligned to Sandwell’s own vision. Only last month I was proud to launch our Sandwell Story; a project to celebrate, champion and bring people together in making Sandwell a great place to live, learn, work and visit.

“Success to me means raising aspirations and improving outcomes for people. We will help people to make it in Sandwell, to make it in the Black Country and make it in the whole of the West Midlands.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The council and I are united in our mission to build affordable homes, deliver reliable transport, and foster thriving businesses for everyone, and my Growth Plan provides the roadmap to achieving that.

“It will unleash Sandwell’s untapped potential and build on its strengths in key sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing and professional services. It will champion hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to flourish and create the skilled, well-paid jobs our young people deserve.

“It’s also about revitalising communities and creating places we can all be proud to call home. Projects like the West Bromwich Town Centre Masterplan are central to this vision.

“My Growth Plan, developed with businesses and backed by government, is the key to unlocking opportunity and improving lives for everyone.”

Sandwell employment statistics based on the Growth Plan areas of focus

The Growth Plan sets out five areas for priority job growth and our figures below show that Sandwell is in a prime position to help the Growth Plan to succeed:

Green tech and clean energy

• £209m GVA
• 1,910 people jobs
• 65 businesses

Advanced manufacturing and electric vehicles

• £1.5bn GVA
• 20,280 jobs
• 1,100 businesses

Health tech and medical innovation

• £903m GVA
• 18,750 jobs
• 485 businesses

Digital, tech and creative

• £55m GVA
• 1,215 jobs
• 310 businesses

Professional and financial services

• £1.5bn GVA
• 17,605 jobs
• 2,105 businesses

This article came from Sandwell Council.

Local businesses, Community leaders and community group members in Smethwick are being invited to help shape how £20 million in government funding is invested in the town over the next 10 years.

Smethwick is one of 75 towns across the UK set to benefit from long-term investment through the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. This funding aims to support local priorities, deliver meaningful change and put decision-making in the hands of communities.

Join a community workshop near you

To ensure local voices are at the heart of the programme, a series of eight community workshops will take place across Smethwick between Monday 28 July and Friday 22 August 2025.

Each session will provide an opportunity to:

• Meet members of the Smethwick Partnership Board
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities in your community
• Share ideas and suggest potential projects
• Help shape how the funding can be used to make the biggest impact

Whether you’re already involved in local initiatives or simply want to see change in your neighbourhood, your input is essential.

Tickets to the workshops are free but limited, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Residents, community groups and businesses in Smethwick are being encouraged to take part in an important new survey to help shape the town’s future.

Smethwick has been named one of 75 towns across the UK set to receive up to £20 million in Government investment over the next decade through the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. This long-term funding aims to support local communities in creating lasting, meaningful change.

Share your views on the issues that matter

The Smethwick Partnership Board, which is overseeing the delivery of the Plan for Neighbourhoods locally, has launched a short online survey to gather views on what matters most to people living and working in the town.

The survey focuses on eight key themes:

• Regeneration, high streets and heritage
• Housing
• Work, productivity and skills
• Community cohesion
• Health and wellbeing
• Transport
• Safety and security
• Education and opportunity

Your feedback will help identify the town’s top priorities and influence how funding is allocated over the coming years.

Have your say today

Whether you’re a resident, business owner or community organisation, your views are vital. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and your input will help shape Smethwick for future generations.

The deadline to respond is Friday 22 August 2025.

Sandwell Council has given the green light to a planning application for 34 new homes in Wednesbury, marking another step forward in the town’s regeneration efforts. The new development, led by Keon Homes, will be located off Friar Park Road, adjacent to the site earmarked for Wednesbury’s upcoming urban village.

The proposed homes will include a mix of two- and three-bedroom houses and will be built on a brownfield site. The developer says the homes will be high quality and designed to complement the existing area, with appropriate parking provided for residents and visitors.

The plans are part of a much larger regeneration project for the town. Sandwell Council received £20 million in government Levelling Up funding for the area, with over £10 million allocated to prepare nearly 67 acres of land for development near the M6.

The wider urban village project includes up to 630 new homes and improvements to the nearby Millennium Community Centre, which will include a new café and events space for up to 150 people.

For Sandwell’s business community, this means increased demand for construction services, supply chains and local retail and hospitality. The urban village vision is set to attract new residents and create opportunities for businesses to thrive.

Project timeline extended

The land was originally expected to be ready for developers by September 2026, but this has now been delayed to December 2027. As a result, further delays to the completion of the urban village homes, originally projected for 2031, are now likely. Elsewhere in the area, a separate plan by developer Persimmon proposes 105 new homes on land near High Point Academy.

These projects are part of ongoing investment to improve housing, infrastructure and community facilities in Wednesbury and across Sandwell.

The information for this article came from the business desk, read it here.

The SHAPE Programme, a pioneering child’s voice initiative by Sandwell Council, has been championing youth empowerment and community development since 2014.

With a mission rooted in five core outcomes: Staying Safe, Being Healthy, Enjoying & Achieving, making a Positive Contribution and Economic Wellbeing, SHAPE has become a vital platform for children and young people to influence services and thrive in a supportive environment.

Through innovative events, strategic partnerships, and youth-led consultations, the SHAPE Programme has engaged over 20,000 children and young people across Sandwell and neighbouring areas.

Challenge

Sandwell Council recognised a need to give young people a stronger voice in shaping the services and support systems designed for them. There was also a broader ambition: to develop future leaders, reduce social exclusion and ensure all young people, regardless of background, could contribute positively to their communities.

To meet these goals, the SHAPE Programme was established to offer meaningful engagement, provide platforms for talent and expression, and deliver vital support around safety, wellbeing and aspirations.

Solution

The SHAPE Programme has delivered a rich and varied youth offer through multiple initiatives:

• SHAPE Your Talent – a creative stage for young performers across music, dance and entertainment.
• SHAPE Youth Forum – a bi-weekly platform for young people (ages 11–21) to influence decision-making.
• SHAPE Summer Youth Festival – a free, family-focused festival drawing 6,000–8,000 attendees annually, with more than 70 organisations promoting services and activities.
• UK Youth Parliament Support – facilitating the election and mentorship of Sandwell’s MYPs to ensure national representation.
• Anti-Bullying Roadshows – a proactive campaign in partnership with West Midlands Police, delivered across schools to address bullying.
• Annual SHAPE Survey – with over 2,700 responses in 2024, this consultation tool helps shape council policy and services based on real youth feedback.

The programme is supported by a board of partners including the NHS, West Midlands Fire Service, schools, colleges and community.

SHAPE Youth Summer Festival

An outstanding example of SHAPE’s inclusive impact is the Youth Summer Fest, held annually at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Created in response to young people’s call for positive summer activities, the event offers sports, arts, performances and a vibrant 5k Colour Run.

The festival draws thousands from across the West Midlands which strengthens community ties, promotes healthy lifestyles and showcases opportunities for youth engagement. In 2025, the festival expects up to 8,000 attendees.

How you can support SHAPE

Sponsoring the SHAPE Programme is more than a marketing opportunity it’s a chance to invest in the future of your community. Sponsors benefit from:

• Brand exposure across social media, press, and public materials
• Engagement with local families and service providers
• Contribution to a nationally recognised programme

Available sponsorship tiers include Gold (£1,000), Silver (£500), and Bronze (£100), each offering a range of promotional benefits, from social media campaigns to festival banners and inclusion in press materials.

If your interested in sponsoring you can contact the SHAPE team at shape_events@sandwell.gov.uk. SHAPE is more than just a programme; it’s a movement that puts children and young people at the heart of local life.

Culture has the power to transform communities improve wellbeing, build skills and create vibrant places to live and work.

The Sandwell Cultural Compact is now inviting expressions of interest for new board members to help shape the future of arts, culture and creativity across the borough.

About the Sandwell Cultural Compact

The Compact is a cross-sector partnership working to ensure that everyone in Sandwell can access and benefit from cultural opportunities. Its focus includes embedding creativity into everyday life, connecting communities and securing investment in the borough’s cultural infrastructure.

The partnership supports creative organisations and individuals to thrive, while promoting collaboration across sectors such as health, education, business and regeneration.

Who can apply

The Compact is seeking individuals who bring experience, networks or lived insight that can support its work at a strategic level. Board members may come from:

• Arts, culture and heritage organisations
• Health, education, housing or other public services
• Local businesses or the visitor economy
• Voluntary, community and faith groups
• Freelance creative practice or micro arts organisations

Applicants should have a connection to Sandwell, through work, residence or community involvement and a commitment to growing cultural and creative opportunities in the borough.

The role

This is a voluntary role. Board members are expected to attend quarterly meetings and may also be invited to contribute to specific working groups or represent the Compact at local or regional events. The initial term is one year, with a review of the Compact’s structure due between April and June 2026.

Freelancers and micro businesses without core funding may be eligible for a bursary to support participation.

How to apply

Expressions of interest should include:

• Contact details and current role
• Connection to Sandwell
• Relevant experience and networks
• Motivation for applying
• How your background would contribute to the board’s understanding of Sandwell’s communities

Deadline: 6 June 2025

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is giving local businesses the opportunity to take part in its Quarter Two Economic Survey.

This is a chance to share how current economic conditions are affecting your organisation: including sales performance, recruitment, investment plans and overall business confidence. The information collected helps build a clear, data-driven picture of the struggles businesses are facing.

Why your voice matters

Survey results are closely monitored by HM Treasury and the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, ensuring that the real challenges and opportunities facing Black Country businesses are heard at the highest levels.

Whether your business is large or small, every response counts, every response helps ensure decision-makers understand what businesses really need.

Have your say.

Results and business insights

Following the survey period, results will be revealed on Thursday 3 Julyat a dedicated event that will also include a focused discussion on this quarter’s key theme: Brand Protection and Reputation Management.

Attendees will gain early access to the latest data on business sentiment across the Black Country and hear from a panel of expert speakers exploring how businesses can protect and strengthen their brand in today’s fast-moving and competitive environment.

Register your place here.