Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

WMCA to transform Caparo site into 252 home community

THE West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced a multi-million pound funding deal on Friday (28) to transform the former Caparo steelworks in Walsall into a 252-home community.

The funding means the derelict 16.5-acre site will be cleaned up and made ready for redevelopment.


It is being developed by Anthem Lovell (LLP), a joint venture between local housing association WHG and Lovell Partnership.

The project received funding from the WMCA housing land fund and working closely with the WMCA, supplying 78 affordable homes for local people.

The WMCA will also provide expert support in tackling land remediation and other issues on the site so that the much-needed new housing and industrial land close to Walsall town centre can be brought forward by the developers.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “Not only will this scheme help to further ease pressure on the greenbelt in the Black Country, but it will also help increase the number of affordable homes being built across the region.

“The funding deal requires developer Anthem Lovell to make at least 20 per cent of the new homes affordable and it’s excellent they have chosen to exceed that and go for 30 per cent instead.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing and land and leader of Walsall Council, added: “Caparo’s regeneration is a symbol of the direct intervention the WMCA is making as part of a housing and land programme that is leading the way nationally.

“Breathing new life into this site in this way is just the latest boost to the region's drive to build enough homes to meet future demand.”

Stuart Penn, regional managing director at Lovell, said: We’re thrilled to be working collaboratively with the WMCA to deliver multi-tenure communities at both scale and pace, which will help to address the shortage of high-quality homes across the West Midlands, where this partnership will see 4,000 brand-new homes delivered in the next eight years.”

A reserved matters planning application for the 252-home scheme was recently submitted and a decision is expected by the summer. The project will also create local jobs and 15 apprenticeships during construction.

The former steelworks site will be transformed into quality newly built homes, helping to uplift the overall quality of housing in the area.

The development will provide a mix of housing types, including private homes for sale and rent and affordable housing, both shared ownership and affordable rent.

Access to the funding for the Caparo site was provided by Frontier Development Capital Ltd, which works closely with the WMCA to invest in property developments that support economic growth in the West Midlands.

More For You

Uber

Takeaway apps have become a source of employment for undocumented migrants

Getty Images

Uber warns UK food delivery costs could rise amid crackdown on illegal migration

Highlights:

  • Uber warns Home Office rules targeting illegal gig economy workers could increase takeaway delivery costs in the UK.
  • Undocumented migrants have historically used food delivery apps for work, exploiting limited right-to-work checks.
  • Companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat have introduced stricter checks, including facial recognition and document verification.
  • Compliance and administrative costs have contributed to a fall in Uber UK profits despite rising revenues.
  • Government enforcement includes thousands of interviews and hundreds of arrests for suspected illegal working.


Uber’s UK accounts at Companies House welcomed the Home Office’s efforts to deter migrants and people smugglers from risking Channel crossings. However, the company cautioned that “new legislative requirements could have an adverse impact on our business, including expenses necessary to comply with such laws and regulations.”

Takeaway apps have become a source of employment for undocumented migrants, attracted by historically limited right-to-work checks. Delivery riders have sometimes sold or rented their accounts on social media to “substitutes” who may be working illegally.

Keep ReadingShow less
Co-op and Bestway strike new deal to back independent retailers

Dawood Pervez (L), managing director at Bestway Wholesale and Katie Secretan, managing director of Co-op Wholesale

Co-op and Bestway strike new deal to back independent retailers

A NEW partnership has been formed between Co-op Wholesale and Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) to support independent retailers across the UK.

Goes beyond the standard supply deal, it aims to bring the combined expertise and resources of both businesses together, helping local retailers compete in an increasingly tough convenience market, a statement said on Thursday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
Nirmala Sitharaman

India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure would be simplified from four slabs to two, with reductions across several sectors. (Photo: Getty Images)

India cuts consumption taxes, simplifies structure into two slabs

INDIA announced a major cut in consumption taxes on Wednesday, days after the United States imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods.

India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure would be simplified from four slabs to two, with reductions across several sectors. In some cases, levies have been reduced by more than half.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jio Platforms

Jio Platforms includes India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm, with more than 500 million users. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Jio IPO planned for mid-2026, AI unit announced with Meta and Google

RELIANCE Industries plans to take its telecom and digital arm, Jio Platforms, public by mid-2026, chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. The announcement sets a new timeline for the long-awaited IPO of a business analysts value at over $100 billion.

At its annual general meeting (AGM), Reliance also announced the launch of an artificial intelligence unit in partnership with Google and Meta.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asda tech overhaul

Asda sales fell 0.2 per cent in the three months to June 30, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Asda boss hails tech overhaul as key to revival despite sales slump

THE chairman of Asda has admitted the supermarket chain still faces challenges after sales slipped again over the summer, but said the completion of a major IT overhaul was crucial for its recovery.

Allan Leighton told the Times that the long-delayed technology project, called Project Future, had finally been finished after years of setbacks and costs exceeding £1 billion. The work involved separating more than 2,500 systems inherited from former owner Walmart, following Asda’s 2021 takeover by TDR Capital.

Keep ReadingShow less