Work to start on proposed Commonwealth Games village
WORK to transform a former university campus into a state-of-theart Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village can begin after it was awarded £20 million.
It means that the Birmingham City University site at Perry Barr can be bought, demolished and cleaned up ready for construction of up to 1,226 properties – which will not only temporarily accommodate athletes during the 2022 Games but provide permanent homes for Brummies afterwards.
Neighbouring sites, which were once part of the IMI metal works and other manufacturing activity, could also be decontaminated ready for new building.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the group of councils and regional mayor, awarded the grant from a fund specifically set up to prepare land for new housing, to get the project under way.
They are also eagerly awaiting news of a £143.5 million bid to the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to help not only build the new homes but regenerate the wider Perry Barr area including upgrading the rail station, building a new school and relocating the bus depot. The total cost of the development is likely to be nearer £370 million – with the council set to borrow £170 million against the future asset, rental and resale value of the new houses.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “The Commonwealth Games development is important for two reasons – not only is it a key part of the offer for the Games to take place but it will also mean regenerating Perry Barr and providing much-needed housing for Birmingham. We hope that soon we will hear from government about the remaining funding for this scheme.”