Tyseley and Hay Mills Futures: Shaping a Green Innovation Quarter
BCU has recently submitted a Stage 1 proposal to the听National Lottery鈥檚 Climate Action Fund,听to draw in excluded communities in East 探花直播 to act on climate change. We have been working with local partners for some years. This is the background to the proposal.听
The Tyseley and Hay Mills area, located southeast of 探花直播 city centre, is undergoing a bold transformation from a legacy of industrial decline and social deprivation into a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive Green Innovation Quarter. At the heart of this regeneration is a collaborative vision to celebrate the area鈥檚 rich industrial heritage while championing clean energy, community empowerment, and environmental resilience.
Historically defined by its strategic transport links - rail, canal, and road - Tyseley was once a hub of industrial ingenuity. The Webster & Horsfall factory, a pioneering force in steel wire manufacturing since 1720, stands as a testament to the area's historical importance. Today, it anchors a new era of innovation through the development of听Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) -听a nationally recognized centre for low and zero-carbon technologies.
BCU is developing a strategic relationship with the alliance - 探花直播听City Council, the听University of 探花直播,听TEP, and听The Crown Estate -听that is听re-imaging the听Tyseley Environmental Enterprise District (TEED)听as a dynamic zone for sustainable energy solutions, green jobs, and community-led regeneration. This partnership is committed to driving investment, innovation, and inclusive growth across an area of over 100 hectares, home to more than 250 businesses and 8000 residents.
Key developments include:
- The UK鈥檚 first low and zero-carbon refuelling station.
- Hydrogen and electric vehicle infrastructure to support 探花直播鈥檚 clean air ambitions.
- The 探花直播 Energy Innovation Centre and future Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat, designed to link academia, SMEs, and community initiatives in pioneering clean energy solutions.
- Revitalisation of the River Cole Valley and Grand Union Canal corridor as valuable green and blue infrastructure assets.
Community engagement is central to the project. Initiatives such as the听Friends of the Lost World听and collaborations with local schools, faith groups, and cultural organisations are ensuring that local voices shape the future. Efforts to refurbish听St Cyprian鈥檚 Church听into a multi-use community space and plans for an Industrial Heritage Park showcase a commitment to inclusive placemaking.
Tyseley and Hay Mills Futures reflects a unique integration of history, innovation, and community. It is a place-based model of regeneration - anchored in sustainability, driven by collaboration, and powered by the aspirations of the people it serves.