Keepmoat Picked for Wednesbury’s Friar Park Development: Project Overview

Keepmoat has been chosen as preferred developer for Friar Park Urban Village, a 27 hectare brownfield site in Wednesbury, West Midlands. The £150 million scheme will remediate land that has been derelict for more than 40 years and deliver around 630 homes, with at least 25% affordable, plus 10 ha of public open space. Remediation starts 2025; full build-out is expected by 2033.

Project Overview

• Location: Friar Park Road, Wednesbury – 2 miles from town centre, 100 m from Tame Bridge Parkway station.

• Scale: 27 ha (≈67 acres), equivalent to 32 football pitches.

• Homes: Circa 630 multi-tenure units; 25% affordable.

• Vision: Create a highly sustainable “urban village” with green space, active-travel routes and energy-efficient housing, aligned with Garden City principles.

High angle view of the site in Wednesbury for the Friar Park development.

Site History & Challenges

The land hosted a waste-treatment plant, foundry and hospital, leaving a legacy of contamination and poor connectivity. It has remained undeveloped for four decades due to complex remediation needs. Key constraints include:

• Contaminated soils requiring Environment Agency licences.

• Adjacent Bescot Sidings railway and M6 noise buffer.

• Historic anti-social behaviour and access issues.

Technical Details & Remediation

• Phase 1 (2025-2027): Site clearance, soil extraction and on-site treatment to create development platforms.

• Sustainability: High-quality, energy-efficient homes designed to meet Future Homes Standard; active-travel cycle/footpath network; biodiversity improvements across 10 ha of open space.

• Utilities & Infrastructure: New roads, drainage upgrades and green corridors to knit the development into the existing community.

Key Stakeholders

The success of the Friar Park development hinges on the collaboration between key stakeholders. Primary among them is Keepmoat, a well-respected name in the construction industry known for its commitment to quality and innovation.

Local authorities are also crucial players in this project. They ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and facilitate community engagement, ensuring the development meets the community's needs. This partnership aligns with governmental initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth through infrastructure investments.

Eye-level view showcasing the Keepmoat brand and logo.

Timeline and Major Milestones

To ensure timely progress, Keepmoat has devised a structured timeline for the Friar Park development. The project is expected to roll out in phases, with the first phase focusing on the essential infrastructure and initial housing units.

Here are some key milestones to watch for:

• Phase 1 Kick-off: Groundbreaking is slated for Q1 2024.

• Completion of Infrastructure: Set for Q4 2025, this will include road access, utilities, and public transportation solutions.

• First Housing Units Available: Targeted for Q2 2026, the first wave of residential units will be ready for occupants.

• Final Development Completion: Anticipated by Q4 2027, with full community amenities functioning.

  
  

Tracking this timeline will be crucial for construction professionals looking to align their projects or partnerships with the opportunities arising from this development.

Close-up view of construction plans and architectural renderings for the Friar Park project.

Construction Opportunities

The scheme offers extensive infrastructure development and construction opportunities:

• Ground-remediation specialists for contaminated-land treatment.

• Civil-engineering packages for roads, drainage and utilities.

• Residential construction across multi-tenure housing typologies.

• Sustainable-building consultants to integrate low-carbon technologies.

• Public-realm and landscape contractors for 10 ha of parks and greenways.

Procurement will be staged; interested firms should monitor WMCA and Sandwell tender portals for upcoming tender releases and pre-qualification steps. Local supply-chain engagement is a project priority.

Community Engagement & Social Value

• October–November 2024 drop-in sessions gathered resident feedback on remediation plans.

• Social-value commitments include local labour, apprenticeships, and skills programmes in partnership with WMCA and Sandwell Council.

• Expansion of Friar Park Millennium Centre to support the growing community is under way.

Conclusion

Friar Park Urban Village is set to transform one of the West Midlands’ largest brownfield sites into a sustainable neighbourhood, delivering hundreds of new homes and extensive green space while tackling longstanding contamination challenges. For contractors and consultants focused on project management, public-private partnerships, sustainable building, and brownfield market analysis, this multi-year programme represents a landmark regional opportunity.