'Regeneration vision must include districts'

Architects are to pitch their ideas on how a site in Wolverhampton city centre could be regenerated

Ambitions to regenerate Wolverhampton must ultimately incorporate districts such as Bilston, Wednesfield and Tettenhall, according to the council leader.

An international design competition has been launched in a bid to focus plans for a five acre (two hectare) site in the city centre near St George's Church, known locally as the Sainsbury's site.

The project comes amid concerns over a lack of redevelopment for nearly a decade.

Council leader Stephen Simkins said that while the centrally-located scheme was a centrepiece of plans for the city, vision must expand to the districts.

"It's really important that we take a whole city approach," he said of regeneration ambitions.

In the meantime, the competition - focused on a gateway site that principally offers a giant car park - is under way.

Broad plans for the site include new homes, community facilities and spaces for businesses. The project could also link to the new £61m learning quarter by City of Wolverhampton College.

While funding is yet to be secured, seeking design pitches from architects is intended to add key detail to the concept.

The Royal Institute of British Architects has teamed up with the council and developers Capital&Centric to oversee the competition that seeks designs incorporating the Grade II listed church.

Four architecture firms will be shortlisted in the process.

Mr Simkins previously said the approach had worked before.

A design competition resulted in the delivery of the city's i9 office building, currently occupied by the government, he said earlier this month.

“We now want the St George’s scheme to become the design and quality benchmark for future developments in the city."