Multi Development UK Ltd and Wolverhampton City Council have received confirmation that a large area of land in the city centre can be compulsory purchased to make way for a £300m regeneration scheme.

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, gave the council the go-ahead to compulsory purchase 72,000sqm of land to the south of the city centre for the construction of the Summer Row development. A mixed-use scheme is planned incorporating a shopping centre, cinema and leisure facilities, homes and a new underground car park.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “This is fantastic news for the ongoing regeneration of Wolverhampton. I feel that 2008 really is going to be a momentous year in the history of this city with several major regeneration schemes like Summer Row and the Interchange getting off the ground. It is certainly an exciting time to be living and working in Wolverhampton.”

The Secretary of State’s decision follows a public inquiry about the compulsory purchase order, held between April and July last year. The council and its development partner, Multi Development UK, gave evidence throughout the hearing that the creation of Summer Row was vital to the regeneration of Wolverhampton and future prosperity of the city.