whg and Walsall Council sign landmark agreement to deliver more affordable homes in Walsall

Housing association whg and Walsall Council have signed a groundbreaking agreement to accelerate the delivery of new homes across Walsall, addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in the region.

The agreement, known as a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA), aims to streamline the planning process, ensuring that high-quality, affordable homes are built efficiently and effectively.

This new agreement is already being utilized to expedite whg’s Small Sites Project, which is transforming disused garage sites into much-needed housing. Up to 500 disused garage sites have been identified for development, offering a creative solution to the housing shortage while making the most of underutilized land. The PPA has played a crucial role in speeding up this process, with at least 10 small sites already benefiting from the streamlined planning approach.

Assistant Director of Special Projects John Bedford said: “The PPA demonstrates the trust the council has in our ability to deliver well-designed and high-performing homes, while also providing a robust framework that will accelerate our projects.

“This partnership is a crucial step forward in our efforts to provide more affordable homes for the people of Walsall.”

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, said: “This is a great step forward in our partnership with whg, to deliver more quality local homes for local people.”