The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has put together a panel of property and infrastructure experts in a bid to ‘unlock hundreds of hectares’ of undeveloped land.

The West Midlands Land Commission (WMLC) has been set up in a bid to boost land supply for development amid fears too little would hamper its ability to deliver its economic growth targets.

The region is looking to develop some 1,600 hectares of brownfield land for commercial use.

WMCA housing lead Cllr Sean Coughlan said: ‘We can’t make any more land and that means we need to make the very best use of the land we have. The WMLC will provide an opportunity to consider the many aspects which affect the supply and usage of land across the West Midlands.

‘That’s important because we need land to meet the anticipated growth in residential and commercial development which in turn will help drive the economy, meet future housing needs and ultimately improve people’s quality of life.’

Paul Marcuse, a senior real estate figure, has agreed to chair the WMLC, and has today made a call for evidence.

He said: ‘WMLC is being established at a time of unprecedented opportunity for the region. A combination of the recent establishment of the WMCA and its devolution deal with the Government and the very significant infrastructure investment being made in the region provides a singular opportunity to review the wealth of complex issues affecting the supply of land.’

Sam Clayden

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