Tesco will boost town

A multi-million pound project to build new homes and shops, boost parking and create 150 new jobs has been unveiled for Brownhills.

Bosses of supermarket giant Tesco today revealed plans to double the size of its Silver Street site to 60,000sq ft and transform High Street with new shops, cafes and homes.

The proposals would see the new store built on stilts, to create an extra 280 parking spaces underneath it. There would also be around 12 new shops and an undisclosed number of homes in Pier Street.

Tesco will carry out a public consultation in September.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for the supermarket, said: "We are looking forward to showing our ideas for redeveloping the site and bringing a new, modern shopping experience to our customers in Brownhills."

The outline planning application is expected to be submitted to Walsall Council in October.

The news of the long-awaited plan has been met with approval by regeneration bosses and ward councillors who say it will breathe new life into the centre of the town.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The outline proposals for the Tesco are very exciting and build upon the regeneration strategy for Brownhills.

"We hope to work closely with Tesco to maximise benefits for the district centre and the local community. This is another example of Walsall Council working with external partners to increase investment."

Councillor Alan Paul, Ward Councillor for Brownhills and member of the Brownhills Project Reference Group, said he was also delighted with the plans.

"I am all for investment in Brownhills," he said.

"The proposed new Tesco will bring extra shoppers into the town."