Investment Zone bids

REGIONAL leaders claim the investment zones - which offer tax breaks for the private sector - offer an opportunity to “unlock new public and private investment” and will tackle issues including fuel poverty, unemployment and health inequalities.

The region’s case to ministers – who are expected to make a decision on the proposals in the weeks ahead – has been developed by the West Midland Combined Auhtority, local councils and businesses.

It concentrates Investment Zone sites in key locations and along “major economic corridors”.

The locations in the submission “build on the opportunities” offered by the HS2 high-speed rail line.

East Birmingham North Solihull Investment Zone

- Large strategic sites at Arden Cross in Solihull (around the HS2 Interchange station), sites in East Birmingham and smaller sites in Solihull Town Centre.

Dudley Investment Zone

- Brownfield sites around the route of the Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, including schemes in Dudley town centre and at Brierley Hill and Lye.

Sandwell Investment Zone

- Bownfield sites around the route of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, including schemes at Wednesbury and Tipton.

Walsall Investment Zone

Brownfield site programme including large employment sites near the M6 and smaller sites in the town centre and across the wider borough.

Wolverhampton Investment Zone - Featuring the Green Innovation Corridor to the north of the city and a number of housing and employment sites in the city centre.

West Midlands Gigafactory Investment Zone - Large sites at Coventry Airport and in its surroundings in Warwick District.