West Midlands Combined Authority Mayoral Development Corporation

West Midlands Combined Authority Mayoral Development Corporation
Name	West Midlands Combined Authority Mayoral Development Corporation
Formation	2017
Type	Mayoral development corporation
Headquarters	Birmingham
Region served	West Midlands (county), Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall
Leader title	Chair
Leader name	Andy Street
Parent organisation	West Midlands Combined Authority

West Midlands Combined Authority Mayoral Development Corporation is a mayoral development corporation established to coordinate large-scale urban regeneration, investment and infrastructure projects across the West Midlands (county), centred on Birmingham and adjacent conurbations. The corporation was created under devolution agreements between the UK Government and local authorities to leverage the West Midlands Combined Authority's mayoral powers and align projects with regional strategies such as the Midlands Engine and the National Infrastructure Commission recommendations. It works alongside bodies including Transport for West Midlands, HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, Homes England, and private developers.

History

The corporation emerged from devolution deals signed by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after the 2016 United Kingdom general election and the 2017 West Midlands mayoral election. Early proposals referenced plans linked to Curzon Street Station, Birmingham City Centre, and the Birmingham Smithfield redevelopment, and drew on precedents such as the London Legacy Development Corporation and the Canary Wharf Group. Influences included investment announcements tied to HS2, the Commonwealth Games legacy following the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, and strategic documents from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. Initial governance proposals prompted consultations with Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, and other unitary authorities.

Governance and Legal Status

The corporation is constituted under statutory powers in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 framework and orders made by Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Its legal status places it as a Mayoral Development Corporation accountable to the West Midlands Combined Authority and subject to oversight by the West Midlands Combined Authority mayor and constituent councillors from Wolverhampton City Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and others. Strategic alignment is made with statutory plans like the National Planning Policy Framework and the West Midlands Spatial Plan. The corporation collaborates with national agencies such as Historic England and regulatory bodies like the Planning Inspectorate.

Purpose and Objectives

Key objectives include regenerating brownfield sites tied to the Midlands Engine growth agenda, delivering housing linked to Homes England targets, and unlocking commercial developments near Birmingham Curzon Street railway station connected to High Speed 2 (HS2). It aims to coordinate transport interventions with Transport for West Midlands and Network Rail investments, stimulate inward investment promoted by UK Trade and Investment priorities, and facilitate skills and employment aligned with University of Birmingham, Aston University, and Coventry University clusters. The corporation also seeks to protect heritage assets overseen by English Heritage and integrate cultural projects associated with institutions like the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Symphony Hall.

Geographical Area and Development Sites

Designated sites cover central Birmingham and adjoining wards in Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull, and Wolverhampton, including project zones around Curzon Street, Bordesley and the Digbeth creative quarter. Major named developments encompass the Birmingham Smithfield masterplan, land around Curzon Street station, and strategic parcels near Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham New Street transport hubs. The corporation’s remit overlaps with schemes in Eastside and the City Centre Enterprise Zone and interfaces with regional projects such as the Black Country Core Strategy and the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership investment zones.

Planning and Development Powers

Powers include creating local development orders, applying compulsory purchase orders in coordination with constituent councils, and fast-tracking planning consents within designated Mayoral Development Area boundaries under provisions used by the Mayor of London in other contexts. It operates within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and related secondary legislation, coordinating environmental assessments under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive transposed into UK law. The corporation negotiates section 106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions with developers including major housebuilders and commercial investors. It exercises town planning functions in liaison with statutory consultees such as Natural England and Environment Agency.

Funding and Finance

Funding sources combine devolved funds from the UK Treasury and Government of the United Kingdom devolution settlements, local contributions from constituent councils, grants from Homes England, and private sector investment structured via public–private partnership arrangements similar to those used by Canary Wharf Group and Qatar Investment Authority joint ventures. Financial instruments include tax increment financing proposals, land value capture mechanisms, and use of Local Growth Fund allocations advised by the Local Enterprise Partnership network. The corporation also pursues institutional capital from pension funds and sovereign investors and negotiates developer-led infrastructure funding agreements.

Criticism, Controversies and Public Reaction

Critics have raised issues about democratic accountability vis-à-vis Birmingham City Council and concerns echoed by campaign groups such as Save Our City and heritage charities referencing threats to listed buildings administered by Historic England. Controversies include debates over the use of compulsory purchase powers, the scale of public subsidy for private developers resembling disputes around Birmingham Smithfield and the Curzon Street masterplan, and public consultations questioned by Local Government Association spokespeople. Trade union responses from Unite the Union and GMB have focused on jobs, procurement and apprenticeships, while academic commentators from University of Birmingham and Coventry University have scrutinised economic impact assumptions. Public reaction has been mixed, with some civic groups supporting regeneration linked to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy while others campaign for stronger community benefit provisions.

Category:Mayoral development corporations Category:Organisations based in Birmingham, West Midlands