The provisional Levelling Up round 3 award comes ahead of the
Government’s autumn statement and recognises the calibre of the bid initially
put forward by the council for round 2 funding.
The aim of the Green Innovation Corridor is to build on Wolverhampton’s
growth as a centre for sustainable construction and create skilled jobs for
local people in the emerging green economy.
It will focus on creating high-value jobs in specialist sectors, support student
retention, harness home-grown talent, develop new opportunities for business
investment and growth, and leverage private sector funding.
The initial phases for the Green Innovation Corridor will focus on the
Springfield Innovation Hub to be developed net carbon zero and based at the
University of Wolverhampton’s £120million Springfield site - an architecture
and built environment super-campus acting as the city’s epicentre for the
National Centre for Sustainable Construction. Future phases include ‘Six Mile
Green’ at Wolverhampton Science Park and Cross Street North.
The long-term vision is to connect key city assets at the Springfield Campus
with Wolverhampton Science Park and link the city centre with the advanced
manufacturing cluster in the north of Wolverhampton.
It will stimulate wider regeneration along the corridor by acting as a catalyst
for additional private sector investment in the Science Park, unlocking
brownfield sites for the development of sustainable and affordable housing,
and improving the city’s green spaces and canalside areas.
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “I
am delighted the quality of the council-led submission was too good to ignore
after being recognised by the Government as ‘high-quality’ and ‘ready-to-
deliver’.
“The team has worked extremely hard to get to this point and it is a scheme
well supported by Jane Stevenson MP, West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street,
and the University of Wolverhampton, and I welcome the strength of this
partnership.
“The City of Wolverhampton’s vision for the Green Innovation Corridor will
drive the Green Industrial Revolution, building upon Wolverhampton’s

Se
ns
iti
vit
y:
PR
O
TE
CT
sustainable construction, green credentials and circular economy for
transformation that will create quality jobs for local people.
“We are a bold and ambitious city with a track record of delivery. The city
council, working with public and private sector partners, makes a real
difference to residents and businesses.
“This £20million award will help us deliver the Green Innovation Corridor
linking the city’s key assets in skills, research and high-end manufacturing;
building upon the strengths of the National Centre for Sustainable
Construction and Wolverhampton Science Park.”