On behalf of Advantage West Midlands and Wolverhampton City, the practice has led the masterplanning and urban design for this high profile urban village. A co-ordinated series of design strategies have been prepared, including climate change, sustainability, street hierarchy and footpaths, open space, nature conservation, play, education facilities and canal enhancement.
The urban village will be a mixed use development (40Ha site) that includes 1,050 high density new dwellings, 16,900sqm of employment use, leisure, community and local centre facilities, and a 7.5ha neighbourhood park. This proposed neighbourhood park will form a spine through the centre of the village, following the route of the historic Bilston Brook. Water plays an important role in the masterplan, including swales, a central lake, urban water features and re-opened canal basins. Outline Planning Permission has been granted subject to the completion of the Section 106 Agreement.
Community consultation has played a crucial role in the successful masterplanning process – the people of Bilston have been very supportive of the emerging proposals which will revitalise the historic High Street. Work will start shortly on Phase 1, with the landmark £13million multi-purpose leisure complex anchoring the new urban boulevard which connects and integrates the village with the town. Bilston Urban Village is now recognised as an exemplar of sustainable regeneration
