Investment bosses have called for major projects in the West Midlands to be 'sharper' to make sure they are delivered on time.

Members of West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) Investment Board approved funding of £8 million towards the capital costs of Phase 2 of the Kingshurst Village Centre Regeneration in Solihull.

Phase 2 will see the building of a new community, health and retail centre, six new houses and a new vicarage.

But West Midlands Deputy Chair Stephen Simkins said a lot of money was tied in big projects but they still experienced delays.

When planning permission for Kingshurst Village Centre Regeneration was originally granted in April 2022, a 2026 completion date was provided for the whole project.

Phase 1 of the project, which saw 25 new affordable homes built in the village centre, was completed in September 2024.

But Phase 2 will see construction begin in late 2026 with a completion date of autumn 2028. The third phase of the scheme will involve the construction of 47 affordable homes.

Cllr Simkins said: "These projects tie up lots of resource and funding and it's always difficult to get us across the line.

"We need to make sure when people say they are going to do stuff and get it done, it needs to be nailed on.

"We're reasonable and understand change requests can come forward. But far too much capital is invested in these projects and there's loads of delay.

"We need to have a better relationship with the local authorities and developers so we can actually say 'when you come to us with a scheme, it will get done by this date'.

"If there is material change then we need to understand that, but we shouldn't be locking up investment in projects where it could be utilised somewhere else.

"We need to make sure our systems and working practices and contractual arrangements are a bit sharper in the delivery."

A report to the Investment Board said: "The Kingshurst Village Centre Regeneration project will level up a highly deprived community by transforming the village centre of Kingshurst, which is located in the East Birmingham-North Solihull Corridor.

"The project will substantially improve health and community services with the delivery of a well-connected and mixed-use village centre, including a new community, health and retail centre.

"The project responds to clear market failures, providing a strong rationale for public sector intervention, including funding from WMCA.

The approval of the funding for the project comes with several conditions including getting approval to progress to Phase 2 from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Cabinet when it meets on September 17.