Whilst the mayoral election results and renewal of Andy Street’s leadership may have come as little surprise to many, beneath the surface bubbled significant changes to the political landscape. These have the potential to dictate development in the region for the next four years.
The Conservatives achieved success in authorities across the West Midlands including Sandwell, a Labour stronghold where, prior to the elections, the Conservatives had not been represented for six years. The Party also made significant gains in Dudley, Nuneaton, Walsall, and others.
Why does this matter?
Overall, the Conservative’s success will improve Andy Street’s ability to implement his plans ad achieve his objectives. He will be able to leverage greater Conservative representation locally to channel funding and secure local backing.
With a manifesto that outlines objectives including a “brownfield first” approach to housing, a long-term transport plan, as well as green development projects, an Andy Street mayoralty looks set to be developer-friendly – if you are not doing it in the Green Belt.
Certainly, in his first term there was significant success. Street nearly doubled his new home target over the 4-year period and ran a campaign which focused on these successes, with a ‘business-like’ plan.
With a second term, combined with greater number of Conservative councillors in the region, we would expect to see Street’s plans turbo charged.
Nationally, the Conservative Party may see the region as an opportunity to invest more heavily as well, as part of the so-called Red Wall. Sniffing blood, the Conservatives may hope to undo Labour’s hold on the West Midlands by channelling funding into exciting projects such as the Gigafactory proposals in Coventry.
Whatever happens, the future looks bright for the West Midlands development industry.
