HC Deb 22 February 1989 vol 147 c693W
87. Mr. Conway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further action has been taken in addressing problems or urban decay by the urban development corporation in the Black Country.

Mr. Trippier

The Black Country development corporation has continued to provide opportunities for new investment and development in its area. In particular, it has given priority to:

  • 1. The assembly and reclamation of land to provide sites for development;
  • 2. The procedures necessary as a preliminary to the construction of the Black Country spine road;
  • 3. Jointly with Sandwell MBC, marketing and securing a developer for the four million square feet retail and leisure proposal on the former Patent Shaft steelworks site in Wednesbury. It has also assisted by grant aid of £2.5 million, including City Grant, 35 businesses who in turn have invested £12.2 million in the area.

For further information, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Corporation's annual report.