Up to 500 jobs for £50m project

Up to 500 jobs are set to be created in Walsall as part of a £50 million project to build houses, offices, restaurants and bars on a rundown plot of land alongside the canal.

Under the plans put forward by Midlands developer Jessup a total of 360 apartments and houses, a 4,800 sq metre office block, restaurants and bars will be built on the four acre site, which is currently derelict, north of Charles Street.

The development will be known as Waterfront South and is the second phase of a canalside rejuvenation.The first, Waterfront North, is on a stretch towards the New Art Gallery for which planning permission has been granted. It includes restaurants, bars, offices, leisure attractions and 660 homes.

Work on the scheme, which will create up to 900 jobs, is due to start in the autumn. Walsall Regeneration Company has given its backing to the Waterfront South development which is due to go before town hall planners in the next few months.

Chief Executive Dr Peter Cromar said: "This exciting scheme for Waterfront South is another important step in transforming Walsall as a town for enterprise and evidence that real change is under way."

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